tihmry  of  t:Ke  theological  Seminary 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


•a^i> 


PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H,   LeFevre 


.4.UZ 


y. 


Uil'^'"' 


m^M^mmim^^m. 


APR  21  1952 


TBCBJ 


HISTORY 

,     OF    THE   CHURCH   OF   THE 

UNITED  BRETHREIf  IN  CHRIST. 
/ 

BY  JOHN  LAWRENCE. 

IN    TWO    VOLUMES. 


VOL.  II. 


DAYTONf  OHIO: 

PUBLISHED  AT  THE  UNITED   BRETHREN  PRINTING 

ESTABLISHMENT. 

SOWERS  &  KING,  PUSLISHERS. 

18(51. 


PREFACE. 


In  this  volume  I  have  endeavored  to  trace  the  history 
of  the  church  from  the  death  of  William  Otterbein  down 
to  the  present  time — a  period  of  nearly  fifty  years. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  period  we  shall  find  the  church 
confined  to  the  Grerman  settlements,  without  a  printed 
discipline,  printing  establishment,  newspaper,  college,  mis- 
sionary society,  or  well-organized  itineracy;  two  annual 
conference  districts,  both  of  which  would  now  be  regarded 
as  mission-conferences,  embracing  the  entire  work.  And 
we  shall  not  find  a  single  house  of  worship  west  of  the 
Alleghany  mountains,  and  but  a  few  east  of  them. 

Moreover,  we  shall  see  this  humble  Grerman  church 
pruned  out,  during  a  series  of  years,  to  such  an  extent, 
and  by  such  a  combination  of  causes, 'that  we  shall  begin 
to  despair  of  its  very  existence. 

Bat  as  the  first  quarter  of  the  century  passes  away  we 
shall  see  the  dawn  of  a  brighter  day.  Eflicient  laborers, 
a  well  organized  itineracy,  an  aggressive  missionary  move- 


IV  PREFACE. 

ment  in  the  Englisli  communities,  will  pass  in  review  be- 
fore us. 

Then  we  shall  see  how  our  excellent  discipline  was 
formed  ;  and,  it  will  be  especially  interesting,  it  is  hoped, 
to  trace  the  development  of  those  great  principles  which 
distinguish  the  denomination  from  many  other  religious 
bodies. 

When,  in  the  providence  of  God,  the  church  has  been 
properly  disciplined,  we  shall  see  it  enter  upon  the  great 
work  of  evangelization.  We  shall  follow  it  into  the  new 
states  and  territories,  and  trace  in  each  its  rise  and 
progress.  We  shall  see  its  printing  establishment  rising, 
its  schools  of  learning  struggling  into  life,  its  missionary 
society  organized,  and  sending  out  scores  of  efficient  la- 
borers. 

And,  at  the  end  of  the  period,  instead  of  a  handful 
of  zealous  German  Christians,  melting  away  before  ad- 
verse influences,  breaking  up  the  fallow-ground  and  sow- 
ing that  others  might  reap,  doubtful  of  their  own  con- 
tinued existence  as  a  separate  people,  we  shall  see  a 
thoroughly  organized  church  of  nearly  a  hundred  thou- 
sand members,  united,  earnest,  and  zealous ;  with  a  pious, 
intelligent  and  energetic  ministry,  excellent  educational, 
publishing,  and  missionary  organizations,  and  a  healthy 
denominational  spirit.  And  we  shall  discover  that  all 
this  progress  is  but  the  development  of  that  life  in  the 
soul  which  comes  from  union  with  Christ,  and  which 
made  United  Brethren  in  Christ  of  Otterbein,   Boehm, 


PEEFACE.  V 

Guething,  and  tte  other  G-erman  fathers,  of  the  various 
Beets  and  denominations  of  their  day. 

"We  shall  then  have  before  us  the  history  of  a  church 
■which  originated  in  no  schism,  no  doctrinal  disputes  or 
differences,  no  ecclesiastical  discussions,  but  in  the  germ- 
ination and  growth  of  the  divine  word  in  individual 
hearts. 

I  have  aimed  to  give  faithful  sketches  of  all  the  most 
useful  and  talented  men,  whether  living  or  dead,  who 
entered  the  field  prior  to  1840,  of  whom  I  have  been  able 
to  obtain  reliable  information.  There  are  good  reasons 
why  historical  sketches  of  those  who  have  entered  the 
service  and  rendered  distinguished  aid  to  the  Captain  of 
our  salvation,  since  1840,  should  be  deferred  to  a  later 
period. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  sketches  of  the  pioneers,  I 
have  been  aided  by  a  number  of  our  aged  ministers, 
who  have  kindly  placed  in  my  hands  recollections  of 
their  co-laborers,  concerning  many  of  whom  not  a  written 
or  a  printed  line  had  been  any  where  preserved.  The 
United  Brethren  have  eschewed  biographies  and  auto- 
biographies. But  a  single  auto -biography  or  biography, 
if  we  may  except  some  meager  notices  in  our  periodicals, 
has  yet  been  published.  Of  some  of  our  ablest  ministers 
we  know  but  this,  that  they  entered  the  battle-field  in 
youth,  and  fought  valiantly  until  the  day  was  well  spent; 
and  that  they  died  bravely  at  their  posts.  It  should 
not  be  a  reason  for  severe  censure  if  some  names   have 


VI  PEEFACE. 

been  passed  over  entirely,  which  deserve  a  distinguished 
place  in  these  pages. 

It  is  not  pretended  that  all  our  early  ministers — that 
all  the  pioneers — honored  the  sacred  office,  or  were  equal 
to  those  who  have  been  noticed.  This  was  not  the  case, 
A  rising  and  rapidly-growing  church,  which  obtains  its 
ministry,  not  from  the  college  but  from  the  people,  is 
peculiarly  liable  to  imposition.  It  is  an  evil  incident  to 
the  Gospel  plan, — the  best  that  can  be  devised, — of  sup- 
plying the  church  with  a  ministry.  A  man,  professing 
conversion,  and  possessing  some  talents,  claims  that  he  has 
a  call  to  preach.  The  church  is  likely  to  accept  his  pro- 
fessions, and  to  receive  him  as  a  minister.  Usually  they 
are  not  deceived.  But  wolves  in  sheep's  clothing  have 
not  found  it  very  difficult  to  pass  themselves  off  as  true 
shepherds. 

Many  pages  of  this  work  might  have  been  filled  with 
sketches  of  some  who  ran  well  for  a  season,  and  then 
fainted ;  of  others  who  began  in  the  Spirit  and  ended  in 
the  flesh  ;  and  of  others  still,  who  crept  into  the  sacred 
office,  as  wolves  creep  into  a  sheepfold,  to  make  havoc 
of  the  flock;  but  it  would  neither  be  pleasant  nor  edify- 
ing to  preserve  the  memory  of  the  unfortunate  or  the 
wicked  men  who  lie  along  the  line  of  our  history. 

That  some  errors  will  be  detected  in  this  volume  ;  that 
valid  objections  may  be  urged  against  its  style,  and  its  treat- 
ment of  some  subjects ;  and  that  a  part,  or  the  whole  of 


PREFACE.  VU 

it  might  have  been  better  done  by  some  other  man,  I  do 
not  entertain  a  doubt. 

That  God  may  make  it  a  blessing  to  the  dear  people 
with  whom  it  has  been  his  happiness  to  be  identified 
from  youth,  and  with  whom  he  hopes' to  toil  for  the  ex- 
tension of  Christ's  kingdom,  in  some  humble  capacity,  to 
old  age,  is  the  prayer  of  the 

Author. 

Dayton,  July  13th,  1861. 


OOISTTENTS. 


PART    THIRD. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FROM  THE  DEATH  OF  OTTERBEIN  TO  THE  FIRST  GENERAL 
CONFERENCE, 

The  "war  of  1812.  Immigvation.  Demand  for  English  preaching. 
Methodist  itineracy.  Losses  by  co-operation  with  the  Metliodists 
Poor  eucourageraent  for  United  Brethren  itinerants.  Lack  of  a  de- 
nominational spirit.  Pruning  out.  Remarks  of  Otterbein  on  the 
German  work.  Petition  from  the  vestry  of  the  Otterbein  church. 
Re-election  of  Newcomer.  Preparations  for  a  general  conference, 
etc 17—34 

CHAPTER  II. 

THE  FIRST  GENERAL  CONFERENCE — THE  DISCIPLINE. 
Place  of  meeting.  Character  of  the  delegates.  The  threatened  storm. 
The  happy  termination.  Confession  of  Faith.  Liberal  views  of 
the  ordinances.  Grosh  on  Baptism.  Spayth  on  the  views  of  the 
fathers  on  baptism.  Accordance  of  their  views  with  the  Scriptures. 
Feet-washing.  Itinerant  plan.  Conferences.  Official  aiembers. 
One  order  in  the  ministry.  Preachers'  salaries  in  1821.  Newcomer 
and  Zeller  elected  bishops 35 — 54 

CHAPTER  III. 

IMPOSITION   OF    HANDS — RISE    OF   THE  CHURCH  IN  INDIANA 

SECOND     GENERAL     CONFERENCE CAMP-MEETINGS — • 

NEW   SECTIONS    ADDED   TO   THE   DISCIPLINE 55 — 69 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

SOME    OP    THE    PIONEERS. 
Benedum,  Zeller,  Spayth,  Kumler,  Troyer,  Evinger,  Smaltz,   Cra- 
mer  70 — 94 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE    MORNING   BREAKING. 
Conferences  of  1818.     Re-enforceraents  of  the  ministry.    Brown,  Rus- 
sel,  Huber,  Delioff 95—116 

CHAPTER  VI. 

ENGLISH-SPEAKING   RECRUITS. 
Mclfamar,  Havens,   Spicer,   Stubbs,  Ross,   Shingledecker,  Steward, 
Antrim,  and  the  Bonebrakes.       Survey  of  the  whole  work  in 
1820 117—138 

CHAPTER  VII. 

GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OF    1821. 
Representation .   Support  of  the  ministry.   Action  on  slavery.   Copy  of 
the  original  rule  on  slavery.     The  final  rule  on  slavery.     Liquor- 
making.  The  temperance  movement.  Thellnited  Brethren  discipline 
on  temperance.   Joseph  Hoffman — a  sketch  of  his  life 139 — 155 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1825. 
Action  on  baptism.  Anecdote  of  Grosh.  Ordination.  The  itineracy. 
Leading  questious  to  candidates  for  the  ministry.  Attempted  re- 
newal of  fraternal  intercourse  with  the  Methodists.  The  English 
element.  The  communion.  Division  of  the  Miami  conference. 
Pfrimmer,  Mayer,  etc 156 — 169 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SECRET  SOCIETIES — GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OP  1829. 
The  United  Brethren  opposed  to  secret  societies  from  the  beginning. 
Beginning  of  the  difficulty  with  Freemasonry.  Action  of  the  Miami 
conference  prior  to  the  Morgan  affair.  McNamar  and  Farmer's  con- 
nection with  Masonry.  Some  reasons  why  the  United  Brethren  op- 
pose secret  societies.  Rise  of  the  M.  P.  church,  and  friendly  cor- 
respondence with  it,  etc 170 — 197 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE   OLD   CONFERENCE — NEWCOMER. 
Biirtner,  Troup,  Crum.     The  Benevolent  Fund  Society.     Adam  Leh- 
man.   Division  of  the  old  conference.     Comparison  of  its  statistics 
for  1820  and  1830.     Christian  Newcomer,  his  character  and   de- 
cease   198—214 

CHAPTER  XI. 

OUTGROWTHS   OP   THE    OLD    CONFERENCE — SKETCHES. 
Virginia,  Parkersburg.    J.  J.  Glossbrenner.     W.  R.  Coursey.     Jacob 
Bachtel.    J.  Markwood 215—224 

CHAPTER  XII. 

MORE  OUTGROWTHS  OF  THE  OLD  CONFERENCE — SKETCHES. 

Pennsylvania,  East  Pennsylvania,  Alleghany.     J.  Erb.     G.  Miller. 

J.  Fohl 225—237 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    SCIOTO   CONFERENCE. 
Coons,  Montgomery,  Vandemark,  Ambrose,  Hastings,  Kinney,  Hauby, 
Edwards,  L.  Davis 238—257 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

OUTGROWTHS    OP    THE    MIAMI    CONFERENCE — SKETCHES. 
Indiana,  Wabash,  etc.      Whitcom,   Farmer,   Mahan.     The   work   in 
Illinois.      J.   Davis,    W.   Davis,   Morgan,   Griffith,   Kenoyer    and 
Hoobler 258—279 

CHAPTER  XV. 

GENERAL    CONFERENCE    OP    1833. 

Definition  of  the  powers  of  general  conference.     Salary  of  ministers  to 

be  increased.   Swearing  and  affirming.    Class-meetings.  A  printing 

establishment  projected.     Zion's  Advocate.      Sandusky  conference 

set  off.    Religious  Telescope  issued,  etc 280 — 288 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

MUSKINGUM    CONFERENCE — SKETCHES. 
Forney,  Kenagi,  Briggs,  S.  Long,  A.  Biddle.     Commencement  of  tho 
work  on  the  Reserve.    Erie  conference,  etc. 289— -298 


xii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE   SANDUSKY   CONFERENCE— NORTH-WESTERN   OHIO. 
Baulus  in   Sandusky.     Sandusky   circuit.      Zahn,   Harrington,   and 
Harrison,  Hiskey,  Smith,  Cramer,  Kimberlin,  Crum,  Garber,  Davis, 
Lillibridge.     Rapid  growth  of  the  conference.     Thomas  and  others. 
Michigan  conference 299 — 309 

.     CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE  WORK  IN  NORTHERN  INDIANA. 

Pioneer  labors  of  Denham,  Davis  and  others.     E.  H.  Lamb.     Joseph 

Terrel.     Camp-meetings  in  1840-'41.     Josiah  Terrel's  conversion. 

Rise  of  the  United  Brethren  church  in  Kentucky.     John  M.,  and 

William  Blair,  etc 310—320 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCES  OF  1837 1841. 

Subject  of  a  church  constitution  introduced  in  1837.  Extensive  revi- 
vals. Samuel  Heistand.  Constitution  adopted  in  1841.  H,  Kum- 
ler,  jr 321— 3.'J3 

CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   HIGHER   CHRISTIAN    LIFE. 
Views  of  Otterbein  and  Newcomer  on  entire  sauctification.     Wilson. 
D.  Edwai-ds'  experience.     Influence  of  the  revival,  etc. . .   334 — 345 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

RISE    OF    THE    UNITED    BRETHREN  IN  IOWA. 
Early  laborers.     Burns,  Troup,  Ryan,  Everhart,  Sellers,  Bj^rd.     Early 
conferences.     Prairie  travel  in  the  winter.     Organization  and  rapid 
growth  of  the  conference,  etc 346 — 357 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE  BALTIMORE  CHURCH  TRIAL. 
A  suit  instituted  in  1840.  Another  in  1842.  Church  closed  for  four 
years.  Happy  termination.  The  general  conference  of  1845.  The 
general  conference  can  not  change  the  confession  of  faith.  Candi- 
dates for  the  ministry  must  study.  Establishment  of  an  institution 
of  learning  recommended.      Statistics  for  1845,  etc 358 — 367 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

•CHAPTER  XXIII. 

EDUCATIONAL   ENTERPRISES. 
Otterbein  Tlnirersity.    Mount  Pleasant  College.     Hartsville  Univer- 
sity.    Blandinsville  Seminary.     Western  College.     Leoni  Institute, 
eto.  et€ 368—383 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE  MISSIONARY  MOVEMENT. 
Early  missionary  enterprise.  Elizabeth  Snyder  and  Josepli  "Witmer. 
Home  missionary  societies  organized.  Oregon  colony  sent  out. 
Sandusky  conference  action.  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  organized.  Liberal  contributions.  Resolutions 
adopted  by  the  Boai'd  of  Missions.  Missionaries  sent  to  Africa. 
First  quadrennial  report.     Second  quadrennial  report. . . .  384 — 397 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE    FRONTIER    MISSION    WORK. 
New  conferences.     Oregon,  Michigan,  Canada,  Wisconsin,  Missouri, 
Kansas,  Minnesota,  German,  Parkersburg.     Missions.     California, 
Tennessee,  and  New  England 398—410 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

LATE  GENERAL  CONFERENCES — PRESENT  STATE  OP  THE 
CHURCH. 

Change  of  the  rule  on  secret  societies  in  1849.  Eesolution  on  water- 
baptism  adopted  in  1853.  Discussion  on  depravity  in  1853.  Set- 
tlement in  1857.  Appeal  case  before  the  general  conference  of  1861. 
State  of  the  church.     Statistics 411 — 424 


FJ?lRT  THIR3D. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FROM   THE   DEATH   OF   OTTEEBEIN   TO   THE 
FIEST   GENERAL   CONFERENCE. 

When  Mr.  Otterbein  died,  the  country 
was  involved  in  the  "second  war  of  independ- 
ence." This  war  was  comtoenced  in  1812, 
and  did  not  close  until  1815;  and  the  excite- 
ment it  occasioned,  the  passions  it  aroused, 
and  the  draft  which  it  made  upon  the  re- 
sources of  the  country,  exerted  a  depressing 
influence  upon  every  Christian  church.  Upon 
the  infant  United  Brethren  church, — a  chm^ch 
which  had  assiduously  cultivated  "peace  on 
earth,  and  good  will  to  men," — the  eifect  was 
disheartening  in  the  extreme. 

Another  fact  exerted  a  much  more  perma- 
nent and  extensive  influence,  unfavorably, 
upon  the  rising  church.  At  the  period  of 
Mr.  O.'s  death,  and  for  several  years  there- 
after, while  the  German  element  in  the  Amer- 
ican states  was  constantly  giving  way  to  the 
English,  it  received  but  trifling  reinforce- 
ments from  Europe.     The  whole   number  of 

Vol.  II.— 2  17 


18  HTSTOEY    OF    THE 

immigrants  who  reached  this  country  from 
all  the  states  of  Em*ope,  between  1784  and 
1819,  has  been  estimated,  by  a  good  author- 
ity, at  150,000.  Of  this  number  probably 
not  more  than  fifty  thousand  were  from  Ger- 
many. And  the  whole  number  of  foreigners 
who  arrived  by  sea,  in  the  year  ending  Sep- 
tember 1820,  was  8,385;  1821,  9,127;  1822, 
6,911;  1823,  6,354;  1824,  7,912.  Probably 
less  than  the  half  of  these  were  from  Ger- 
many. The  language  of  the  law,  the  govern- 
ment, the  literature,  and  the  schools,  being 
English,  rapid  encroachments  upon  the  Ger- 
man tongue,  even  in  the  largest  German  set- 
tlements, were  inevitable. 

Consequently,  in  almost  every  place,  there 
was  a  demand  for  preaching  in  the  English 
language;  and  this  demand  was  especially 
urgent  in  those  communities  where  a  new  re- 
ligious life  had  been  awakened  by  the  United 
Brethren  evangelists.  This  especial  urgency 
was  owing  to  two  facts:  1,  The  converted 
children  of  the  very  best  United  Brethren 
families,  having  received  an  English  educa- 
tion, desired  to  hear  preaching  in  the  English 
language.  2.  In  almost  every  community 
where  the  German  fathers  planted  societies, 
persons  were   awakened   and   converted    who 


UNITED    BRETHREN"    IN    CHRIST.       19 

could  understand  the  Grerman  language  but 
imperfectly,  or  who  could  not  understand  it 
at  all ;  and  such  persons  would  naturally  be 
very  anxious,  on  their  own  account,  as  well 
as  for  the  sake  of  their  children  and  English 
neighbors,  to  secure  evangelical  preaching  in 
the  English  language. 

And,  at  this  very  time,  the  most  effective 
itinerant  system  ever  put  in  motion  since 
the  days  of  the  apostles,  supplied  the  men, 
at  all  points,  to  meet  this  demand.  Evan- 
g-elists  trained  under  the  eye  of  Wesley,  or 
raised  up  and  put  into  the  work  by  Francis 
Asbury,  were  prepared  to  respond  to  every 
call,  and  to  make  the  best  use  of  every 
opportunity.  And  that  nothing  might  be 
wanting  to  facilitate  the  establishment  of 
Methodist  societies  in  United  Brethren  com- 
munities, a  plan  of  co-operation  had  been 
adopted  which  provided  that  lists  of  all 
United  Brethren  members  and  ministers,  liv- 
ing within  the  bounds  of  Methodist  circuits 
and  districts,  should  be  kept  by  the  Meth- 
odist preachers  and  presiding  elders,  and 
handed  over  to  their  successors;  also,  that 
all  United  Brethren  preaching  places  should 
be  open  to  Methodist  preachers.*     It  is  true 

*  Sjg  Vol.  I.,  pr.ge  349—355. 


20  HISTORY    OF    THE 

that  Methodist  houses  of  w^orship  were  also 
to  be  open  to  United  Brethren  {excej^t  in 
those  cases  luJiere  the  trustees  should  ohject;)  but 
as  those  houses  were  in  English  communi- 
ties, they  afforded  no  material  advantages  to 
German  evangelists. 

To  these  arrangements  no  valid  objection 
could  be  urged,  for  the  early  Methodists,  and 
the  United  Brethren,  were  as  thoroughly  one 
j)eople,  in  heart  and  practice,  as  the  spirit 
of  God  could  make  them;  and  yet  it  is  easy 
to  see  how  this  fraternal  intercourse  and 
unity  wrought  to  the  disadvantage  of  the 
United  Brethren  as  a  denomination,  A 
wealthy  United  Brethren  farmer,  for  exam- 
ple, would  mvite  a  Methodist  itinerant  to 
take  up  an  appointment  at  his  house;  a 
revival  would  follow ;  a  Methodist  class  would 
be  formed;  and,  after  a  few  years,  a  Meth- 
odist house  of  worship  would  be  erected  on 
the  good  farmer's  land,  and  all  his  children 
Avould  become  Methodists ;  and  one  of  his 
sons,  probably,  would  become  a  Methodist 
itinerant  preacher.  And,  "in  the  formation 
of  classes.  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  in 
many  instances,  allowed  their  names  to  go 
on  the  English  (Methodist)  class-books,  with 
no  intent  to  withdraw  from    the   Brethren, 


UXITEB    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       21 

but  in  order  that  they  might  be  admitted  to 
certain  privileges;  thus  becoming,  virtually, 
members  of  both  churches.*  This  created  no 
jealousy,  but  rather  a  cause  of  rejoicing,  for 
it  formed  a  connecting  link  between  the  two 
churches,  characteristic  of  that  happiness, 
love,  and  friendship,  the  echoes  of  which  the 
heart  sighs  to  experience  again.  *  *  But 
by  the  steady  increase  of  the  English  lan- 
guage, these  members,  their  families,  their 
names  and  influence,  gradually  melted  away 
from  the  Brethren  classes  and  church  for- 
ever. *  *  It  is  just  to  caution  the  reader 
not  to  infer  that  a  proselyting  spirit  moved 
the  Methodist  preachers  to  eifect  this  change 
and  subsequent  loss  to  the  United  Brethren 
church.  No.  To  their  praise  be  it  said, 
they  loved  the  Brethren,  for  they  saw  and 
felt  that,  like  the  ox,  they  had  bowed  their 
neck  to  the  Gospel  yoke,  laboring  with  un- 
equaled  patience  to  win  the  erring  Germans 
to  the  fear  aiid  favor  of  God."f 

Associated  wath  the  loss  of  families  and 
societies,  was  the  loss  of  efficient  laborers. 
The  United  Brethren,  like  the  Methodists, 
looked    to   the    converts    for    their   ministry. 

*  This  was  provided  for  in  the  plan  of  co-operation.     See  Vol, 
I.,  p.  356.  t  H.  G.  Spayth. 


22  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

A  young  man,  among  the  United  Brethren, 
looking  to  the  itinerant  ministry,  was  almost 
sure,  during  this  period  of  our  history,  to 
enlist  in  the  Methodist  ranks.  The  induce- 
ments were  almost  too  great  to  be  resisted. 
To  the  Methodist  itinerant  the  whole  coun- 
try was  open,  from  Maine  to  Greorgia;  where- 
as, the  Grermans  were  confined  to  less  than 
the  half  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  fraction  of 
Maryland  and  Virginia. 

In  the  Methodist  work,  the  English  lan- 
guage, the  language  in  which  the  young  men 
of  the  United  Brethren  church  received  their 
education,  was  used.  This  was  an  additional 
inducement.  Then,  again,  the  Methodist  itin- 
eracy was  better,  far  better  organized.  It 
was  thoroughly  systematized,  and  was  run- 
ning like  finished  machinery. 

In  the  United  Brethren  church  the  itin- 
erant spirit  did  not  so  generally  prevail 
among  the  preachers;  nor  was  the  value  of 
the  itinerant  system  so  generally  appreciated 
by  the  members  of  the  church.  While  a 
few  favored  a  settled  pastorate,  many  were 
attached  to  the  system  which  cost  the  people 
neither  money  nor  price.  Hence,  the  pros- 
pects of  a  United  Brethren  itinerant,  which 
have    never    been   very   flattering  when   re- 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       23 

gardecl  from  a  pecuniary  stand-point,  were 
exceedingly  gloomy  during  the  period  under 
consideration.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  many 
of  our  most  promising  young  men  went  to 
the  Methodist  conference,  especially  as  they 
had  reason  to  believe  that  the  churches 
would  soon  be  united,  and  that  the  diiference 
between  them  was  simply  a  difference  of  lan- 
guage? 

"A  young  man  of  good  education  and.  tal- 
ents, who  had  buckled  on  the  armor  to  go 
forth  and  do  battle  for  the  Lord  as  a  United 
Brethren  itinerant,  w^as  met  on  his  way,  by 
a  friend,  who  accosted  him  thus:  'What, 
going  to  preach  for  the  Dutch,  and  starve?'"* 
None  did  starve,  yet  many  were  compelled 
to  labor  with  their  hands  to  procure  the 
means  of  subsistence. 

The  lack  of  a  denominational  spirit  also 
worked  to  the  serious  injury  of  the  church, 
even  down  to  so  late  a  period  as  1830.  The 
Brethren,  as  already  seen,  were  converts  to 
Christ,  gathered  from  the  various  German 
churches,  all  of  which  were  of  the  "straight- 
est  sect."  Against  the  intolerant  sectarian 
spirit  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed, 
he   reaction    of    those    converts,    when    they 

*  Spayth. 


24  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

found  themselves  to  be  all  one  in  Christ,  by 
virtue  of  tlie  new  birtli,  was  so  powerful  as 
to  push  many  of  them  into  an  opposite  ex- 
treme. Sectarianism  was  confounded  with 
denominationalism.  Hence,  large  numbers  of 
those  who,  by  the  attraction  of  divine  love, 
formed  themselves  into  United  Brethren  so- 
cieties, refused  to  have  their  names  recorded 
in  a  church  book,  and  were  slow  to  submit 
to  any  discipline  except  the  New  Testament. 
And  it  was  not  until  a  long  and  painful  ex- 
perience had  demonstrated  the  necessity  of 
it,  that  theylbecame  willing,  in  some  of  the 
old  localities,  to  co-operate  with  their  breth- 
ren in  a  thorough  denominational  organiza- 
tion. 

There  is  something  quite  beautiful  in  the- 
ory, in  taking  the  Bible  as  a  discij^line,  in 
being  but  loosely  attached  to  any  particular 
church,  and  in  speaking,  hearing,  and  pay- 
ing and  praying,  wherever  convenience  or  in- 
clination may  lead;  but  in  practice,  the  effect 
is  bad.  A  society  composed  of  the  choicest 
spirits  on  earth,  which  is  actuated  by  no  de- 
nominational spirit,  will  decline,  and  event- 
ually perish. 

Owing  to  these  causes  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  were  so  pruned  out,  during  a 


UXITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       25 

series  of  years,  running  from  1810  to  1821, 
that  "outside  friends  anticipated  the  time  to 
be  near  when  the  stock  itself  would  die;  yet 
it  did  not  die,  nor  did  it  show  any  signs  of 
decay."  When  thoroughly  pruned,  and  its 
vitality  tested,  it  j^leased  God  to  visit  the 
vine,  to  water  it,  and  cause  it  to  put  forth 
new  and  more  vigorous  branches.  The  lan- 
guage of  Isaiah  was  fulfilled:  "Then  shalt 
thou  say  in  thy  heart.  Who  hath  begotten 
me  these,  seeing  I  have  lost  my  children, 
and  am  desolate,  and  a  captive,  and  remov- 
ing to  and  fro?  and  who  hath  brought  up 
these?  Behold  I  was  left  alone;  these,  w^here 
had  they  been?"  On  the  loss  of  members  and 
gospel  laborers  of  which  the  United  Breth- 
ren did  not  reap  the  fruit.  Bishop  Asbury 
makes  this  reflection:  "But  our  German 
fathers  have  lost  many  of  their  spiritual 
children;"  and  then  he  asks,  "Why  was  the 
German  reformation  in  the  Middle  States, 
that  sprang  up  with  Boehm  and  Otterbein, 
and  their  helpers,  not  more  perfect?  Was 
money,  was  labor,  made  a  consideration  with 
these  primitive  men?  'No.  They  wanted 
not  the  one,  and  heeded  not  the  other." 
Causes  over  which  they  had  not  control, 
placed  them  in  the  rear.     Had  the  relations 


26  HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  Otterbein  and  Asbiiry  been  changed,  and 
of  tlie  Methodists  and  the  United  Brethren 
as  to  language  and  country,  who  can  say  that 
the  relative  strength  of  the  two  churches 
would  not  have  been  the  reverse  of  what  it 
is  to-day? 

The  fathers  were  not  insensible  to  the  dif- 
ficulties and  peculiar  trials  of  their  position; 
and,  in  an  address  to  the  conference,  one  of 
the  last  attended  by  him,  Mr.  Otterbein 
said: 

^'It  is  true,  brethren,  the  Grerman  work  is 
a  hard  w^ork;  yet  faint  not,  and  in  due  sea- 
son you  shall  reap.  The  Lord  has  greatly 
blessed  our  labors,  and  stood  by  us.  Breth- 
ren, be  men  of  God;  be  strong  in  faith. 
Love  God;  love  all  men  with  a  pure  heart 
fervently;  employ  every  power  to  save  them, 
to  pluck  them  as  brands  from  the  burning; 
and  while  you  do  this,  remember  that  it  is 
not  from  men  that  you  are  to  expect  the  re- 
ward of  your  labor,  but  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  at  his  coming.  *  *  *  Ours  is  a 
callino-  to  labor.  Our  rest  is  not  here.  I  be- 
seech  you,  dear  brethren,  to  take  no  account 
of  this  labor.  One  soul  saved,  one  sinner 
turned  from  the  error  of  his  way,  will  more 
than  compensate  you  for  all  you  have  done. 


UNITED    BRETHREISr    IN    CHRIST.       27 

*  *  Watch  over  ^^ourselves;  live  near  to 
God.  Insist  on  repentance,  a  change  of 
heart,  and  show  to  the  peoj^le  that  without 
holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,  And 
be  ye  yourselves  holy,  that  the  people  may 
see  and  believe  that  the  Lord   has  sent  you. 

*  *  You  read  good  books; — ^^it  is  well;  but 
the  Bible  is  the  only  fountain  of  unerring 
truth,  and  from  the  Bible  we  must  learn  our 
mission  and  our  duty.  *  *  *  jjy  this 
Avord  we  shall  be  judged,  and  by  it  our 
works  shall  be  tried."  These  words  were 
spoken  with  deep  emotion.* 

Under  these  circumstances  the  conference 
in  the  east,  commonly  called  the  Hagers- 
town  conference,  convened  at  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  May  the  24th,  1814.  Twenty-one  min- 
isters were  present.  The  names  of  the  ab- 
sent members  are  not  given  in  the  minutes, 
and  we  have  no  means  of  determining  their 
number;  but  as  the  conference  ificluded  the 
n'hole  of  the  work  in  Pennsylvania,  Mary- 
land, and  Virginia,  it  is  safe  to  conclude 
that  as  many  were  absent  as  present.  During 
the  conference,  six  persons  were  admitted,  in- 
creasing the  number  present  to  twenty-seven. 
Among  those  received,  were  Henry  Kumler, 

*  H.  G.  Spayth. 


28  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Jacob  Wenger,  and  Henry  James  Fry,  names 
precious  in  the  memory  of  the  church.  Let- 
ters were  read  before  the  conference  from 
Abraham  Draksel  and  Jacob  Berger,  both  of 
whom  were,  at  this  period,  laboring  in  West- 
moreland Co.,  Pa.  A  letter  was  also  read 
from  the  Baltimore  conference  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  expressive  of  the  fraternal  interest 
still  existing  between  the  two  societies,  and 
of  the  desire  of  the  conference  that  it  might 
be  perpetuated. 

A  petition  was  also  received  from  the 
vestry  of  the  Otterbein  church  in  Baltimore, 
praying  the  conference  to  su2Dply  the  church 
with  a  pastor,  and  pledging  themselves  for 
his  support.  A  committee,  consisting  of 
ISTeiding,  Snyder,  Baulus  and  IS'ewcomer,  was 
appointed,  to  take  the  petition  into  consider- 
ation. It  should  be  remarked  that  the  con- 
gregation of  the  old  church  in  Baltimore  was 
thoroughly  United  Brethren,  and  entirely  in 
sympathy  with  the  conference;  but  it  had 
been  organized  as  an  independent  church, 
before  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  were 
formally  organized ;  therefore  in  the  provis- 
ion of  pastors  by  the  conference,  the  peculiar 
circumstances  of  the  church  had  to  be  con- 
sidered. 


UNITED    BEJ^THKEN    IN    CHEIST.       29 

The  committee  reported  that  Joseph  Hoff- 
man be  appointed  to  fill  the  charge  in  Bal- 
timore, for  one  year,  and  that,  if  desired,  he 
be  sent  back,  but  not  for  a  longer  period 
than  three  years.  This  appointment  was  en- 
tirely satisfactory  to  the  Otterbein  congrega- 
tion, and  Mr.  Hoffman  continued  to  be  their 
pastor  for  three  years,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  his  office  with  distinguished  ability 
and  success.  At  the  expiration  of  the  time 
prescribed  by  discipline,  another  minister 
was  appointed;  and  thus  the  church  has  been 
supplied,  first  by  the  Hagerstown,  and  subse- 
quently by  the  Pennsylvania  conference,  to 
the  present  period. 

Christian  Newcomer,  who  had  been  elected 
bishop  at  the  previous  conference,  for  one 
year  only,  was  re-elected  at  this  conference 
for  a  term  of  three  years.  The  good  man 
makes  this  note  of  his  election  in  his  jour- 
nal:— "The  Brethren  elected  poor  unworthy 
Christian  Newcomer,  as  bishop  or  superin- 
tendent, for  three  years.  May  God  have 
mercy  on  me,  and  grant  me  his  assisting 
grace  to  discharge  my  duty  faithfully." 

The  conference  appointed  the  first  Thursday 
of  the  following  August  to  be  observed  by  the 
church  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 


30  HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  session  appears  to  have  been  a  peac& 
able  one,  and  the  secretary,  Jacob  Bauhis, 
closes  the  minute  of  the  proceedings  with 
this  prayer:  "Lord  Jesus!  be  with  thy  ser 
vants;  mold  them  after  thine  own  image; 
give  them  godly  zeal  and  untiring  faithful 
ness;  let  thy  virtues  shine  in  them,  and  tliy 
light  shine  through  them;  and  may  many  l)e 
brought  to  light,  and  we  will  ascribe  all  the 
praise  to  God.     Amen." 

But  by  far  the  most  important  measure 
which  occupied  the  attention  of  the  Hagers- 
town  conference,  remains  to  be  noticed.  The 
demand  for  an  improved  and  a  printed  dis- 
cipline, which  had  been  felt  for  some  time, 
now  became  imperious.  As  Otterbein,  Grueth- 
ing,  and  Boehm,  were  gone,  there  was  no  man 
in  the  church  whose  ijersonal  influence  was 
sufficient  to  enforce  the  general  and  excellent, 
but  unprinted,  rules  of  the  society,  and  pre- 
serve unity  and  purity.  There  were  excellent 
men  in  the  church,  and  among  them  Christian 
JSTewcomer,  who,  prior  to  the  death  of  Otter- 
bein, had  been  elected  a  superintendent  or 
bishop;  and  there  were  able  men  in  the 
Avest,  but  there  was  no  one  ■  who  could  fill 
the  place  vacated  by  Mr.  Otterbein.  And, 
what  rendered  the  adoption  of  a  written  dis- 


TJNITED    BEETHKEN    IN    CHEIST.        31 

ci2:>line,  and  a  well  systematized  form  of  gov- 
ernment still  more  necessary,  was  the  fact 
that  the  church  was  extending  her  borders 
into  Ohio,  and  even  into  Indiana;  and  as  the 
preachers  w^ent  abroad  into  places  where 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  had  not  been 
so  much  as  named,  it  became  necessary  for 
them  to  produce,  in  a  printed  form,  her  doc- 
trine and  discipline. 

Owing  to  the  pressure  of  this  necessity, 
two  manuscript  copies  of  a  discipline  were 
laid  before  the  conference,  for  examination, — 
one  by  the  superintendent,  C.  Newcomer,  the 
other  by  Christopher  Grosh,  a  very  able  and 
influential  minister,  who  had  been,  in  the 
former  part  of  his  life,  a  Moravian.  But  as 
the  church  in  the  west  had  become  quite 
strong,  it  was  deemed  best  to  defer  action  on 
the  subject  until  a  general  conference  might 
be  convened,  in  wdiich  the  Miami  conference 
might  also  be  represented.  And  as  that  con- 
ference would  meet  in  the  course  of  a  few 
months,  the  superintendent  was  "requested  to 
call  its  attention  to  the  plan  of  holding  a 
general  conference;"  and  it  was  also  desired 
by  the  Hagerstown  conference,  that  the  confer- 
ence in  the  west  should  determine  the  mode 
of  electing  delegates  to  represent  the  churcli. 


32  HISTOKT    OF    THE 

The  Miami  conference  met  in  Montgomery 
Co.,  0.,  August  23,  1814.  There  were  pres- 
ent at  the  opening  of  the  session,  fifteen 
ministers.  The  question  of  a  general  con- 
ference was  taken  up  as  soon  as  the  prelim- 
inary business  was  disposed  of;  and  it  was 
agreed  that  such  a  conference  was  desirable, 
and  should  be  called.  It  was  also  decided 
that  the  delegates  to  the  conference  should 
be  elected  by  a  vote  of  the  members  of  the 
church  in  the  several  districts.  The  church 
was  then  districted  as  follows: — 
1st  District,  Baltimore. 


of   the 
of   the 


2d 

a 

TIagerstown. 

3d 

u 

Carlisle. 

4th 

a 

Pennsylvania,    south    ( 

Alleghanies. 

5th 

u 

Pennsylvania,    north    ( 

Alleghanies. 

6th 

u 

Muskingum. 

7th 

ii 

Xew  Lancaster,  Ohio. 

8th 

u 

Miami. 

9th 

a 

Indiana  and  Kentucky. 

Oth 

a 

Virginia. 

Each  district  was  authorized  to  elect  two 
delegates;  and  it  was  resolved  that,  to  the 
general  convention  thus  elected,  should  be 
committed  the  rules  of  the  church,  with  full 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN"    CHRIST.       33 

powers  to  so  alter  and  amend  as  best  to 
promote  the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  earth. 
These  conckisions  were  reached  with  very 
great  unanimity.  On  the  day  the  conference 
opened,  bishop  Newcomer  made  this  note  in 
his  journal:  "0!  may  the  Lord  take  the  helm 
into  his  own  hands,  grant  us  grace  to  trans- 
act our  business,  patience  and  brotherly  love 
to  bear  with  each  other,  and  that  all  we  do 
may  be  according  to  His  will,  and  tend  to 
His  glory."  At  its  close,  he  wrote:  "We 
had  considerably  less  difficulty  than  I  ex- 
pected, and  closed  the  session  in  great  har- 
mony and  unanimity.  Praise  the  Lord  for 
it." 

Thus  the  important  question  of  a  general 
convention  was  settled,  in  every  particular, 
except  as  to  the  time  and  place  of  meeting. 
The  Miami  conference  recommended  Abra- 
ham Draksel's,  near  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  as  a 
suitable  place,  it  being  midway  between  the 
Hagerstown  and  Miami  conferences,  and  'No- 
vember 22d,  1814,  as  the  time.  The  sugges- 
tion as  to  the  place  was  accepted,  but  the 
time  was  changed  to  June  6th,  1815. 

At  this  important  session  of  the  Miami 
conference,  some  other  matters  worthy  of 
note,   were   acted   upon.    It  was   agreed,  by 

Vol.  II.— 3 


34  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  unanimous  vote,  to  support  tlie  itinerant 
plan.  A  collection  of  German  Hymns,  made 
by  Henry  Evinger  and  Thomas  Winter,  was 
laid  before  the  conference,  and  examined; 
but  action  in  relation  thereto  was  postponed 
until  after  the  general  convention.  Rev.  B. 
Sales,  a  messenger  from  ,the  Methodist  con- 
ference, appeared,  and  read  a  letter  with 
which  he  was  charged  in  relation  to  broth 
erly  union.  The  letter  was  taken  into  con- 
sideration, and  an  answer  returned.  Then 
the  conference  adjourned,  peace  and  good 
will  prevailing. 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      35 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    FIRST    GENERAL    CONFERENCE. — THE   DIS- 
CIPLINE. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  1815,  a  little  more 
than  three  months  after  the  treaty  of  peace 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain 
was  ratified,  the  first  general  conference 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  convened 
at  the  place  which  had  been  designated. 
But  it  was  not  in  stately  church  or  cathe- 
dral that  thev  assembled.  'No  loud-soundins; 
bells  called  the  people  together;  no  report- 
ers for  a  daily  press  were  present  to  take 
note  of  the  proceedings.  We  remember, 
however,  that  some  of  the  synods  of  the 
primitive  United  Brethren  were  held  in  un- 
frequented forests,  under  the  sheltering  rocks, 
and  branches  of  the  trees;  and  that  caves 
and  catacombs  have  been  honored  by  the 
presence  of  Christian  councils.  Our  first 
general  conference  was  held  in  an  humble 
log  house,  known   as  John  Bonnet's  school- 


36  HISTOBY    OF    THE 

house,  situated  about  one  mile  east  of  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Pa.,  on  the  old  turnpike  road  lead- 
ing over  the  Alleghanies.  Chestnut  Ridge 
is  in  full  view,  and  the  landscape  between 
the  school-house  (which  is  yet  standing)  and 
the  mountains  is  surpassingly  lovely  and 
picturesque.  Mr.  Bonnet  was  a  devoted 
member  of  the  church:  and  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  school-house  resided  the  ven- 
erable Abraham  Draksel. 

The  following  delegates  were  present: 

From  Fennsyhania:  —  Abraham  Mayer, 
Henry  Kumler,  John  Snyder,  Abraham 
Draksel,  and  Christian  Berger. 

Virginia: — Christian  Crum,  Isaac  Niswan- 
der,  and  Henry  Gr.  Spayth. 

Maryland: — C.  Newcomer  and  Jacob  Bau- 
lus. 

Ohio: — Andrew  Zeller,  Abraham  Hiestand, 
Daniel  Troyer,  and  George  Benedum. 

Joseph  Hoffman  was  elected  to  represent 
Baltimore,  but  was  unable  to  attend  on  ac- 
count of  illness.  Fourteen  only  of  the  twenty 
delegates  provided  for  in  the  Miami  resolu- 
tions took  their  seats.  A  general  conference, 
composed  of  fourteen  plain  ministers,  all 
speaking  the  Grerman  language,  assembled  in 
a  log  school-house,   in  a  quiet  country  place, 


UNITED    BEETHEEN     IN    CHEIST.      37 

may  not  strike  the  imagination  very  forci 
bly,  and  some  may  hastily  dismiss  it  as  un 
worthy  of  notice.  But,  hokl!  The  Lord  of 
glory  was  cradled  in  a  manger!  his  harbin- 
ger, the  greatest  of  prophets,  appeared  in 
the  wilderness  of  Judea!  and  many  of  his 
most  imj^ortant  conferences  with  his  disci- 
ples were  held  in   retired  places! 

Ts^or  must  we  turn  away  from  this  con- 
ference because  it  was  graced  by  no  distin- 
guished Doctors  of  Theology,  no  patron 
princes,  no  celebrated  literary  lights;  for,  in 
the  conference  on  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
which  received  the  commission  to  disciple 
all  nations,  no  prince, — not  one  learned  doc- 
tor,— not  a  single  great  literary  light  was 
found.  There  was  the  pure-minded  Nathan- 
iel, the  impulsive  Peter,  the  devoted  John. 
And  in  the  humble  conference  to  which 
the  reader  has  just  been  introduced,  were 
found  men  of  sound  minds, — of  warm  Chris- 
tian hearts — men  thoroughly  read  in  the 
Bible,  and  well  trained  in  the  school  of  ex- 
i^erience, — humble  men — such  as  Gfod  can 
use,  because  they  will  give  him  the  glory. 
They  had,  nearly  all  of  them,  either  been 
introduced  into  the  ministry  under  the  su- 
perintendence   of  Otterbein,   or   had  enjoyed 


38  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

a  personal  acquaintance  with  him.  A  num- 
ber of  them  had  labored  with  him  for  many 
years,  and  had  long  enjoyed  the  benefit  of 
his   godly  counsels. 

0.  Newcomer  and  A.  Zeller  were  elected 
to  preside,  and  Jacob  Baulus  and  H.  Gr. 
Spayth  were  chosen  secretaries.  To  Mr. 
Spayth  we  are  indebted  for  the  only  report 
in  existence  of  the  spirit  which  animated 
the  conference.  "This  being,"  he  says,*  "the 
first  general  conference,  elected  by  the  church 
under  somewhat  peculiar  circumstances,  and 
meeting  for  a  purpose  in  a  measure  new 
and  untried  in  the  history  and  progress  of 
this  church;  and  having  so  lately  been  de 
prived  of  the  support  and  counsel  of  the 
wisest  and  best,  who  had  exercised  the  over- 
sight of  the  church,  to  the  time  of  their  de- 
parture; whose  counsel  was  law,  but  that 
law  was  love,  much  embarrassment  for  a 
time  was  manifest.  Others,  wise  and  good, 
the  church  still  had.  True,  these  might  fill 
the  office  of  those  who  had  gone  home;  but 
not  their  place.  The  seat  might  be  occu- 
pied, but  the  place  was  vacant.  This  was 
never  before,   nor  since,  as  deeply  felt  as  at 

*  History  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  p.  149. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       39 

the  opening,  and  for  the  first  two  days  of 
of  that  general   conference. 

"JSTor  will  we  disguise  the  truth, — the  sky 
was  not  exactly  clear.  A  heavy  atmosphere 
would  ever  and  anon  press  and  swell  the 
bosom;  and  then  came  ruffling  breezes  and 
sharp  words.  This  could  not  last  long.  The 
darkening  clouds  which  hung  over  the  con- 
ference must  be  cleared  away;  a  calm  at- 
mosphere and  a  clear  sky  could  not  be  dis- 
l^ensed  with — a  pause  ensued.  The  confer- 
ence agreed  to  humble  themselves  before  God 
in  prayer;  and  such  a  prayer-meeting  your 
humble  servant  never  witnessed  before,  nor 
since!  Brethren,  with  streaming  eyes,  em- 
braced and  thanked  Grod!  From  that  hour 
to  the  end,  unanimity  and  love  smiled  joy- 
ously on   that   assembly. 

"Permit  a  special  notice  here:  Nothing, 
perhaps,  was  anticipated  with  greater  cer- 
tainty by  any  delegate,  in  going  to  that  con- 
ference, than  that  the  meeting  should  take  place 
^in  the  sweetest  and  most  humble  subordin- 
ation to  each  other,  each  esteeming  his 
brother  higher  than  himself,  and  worthy  of 
more  honor.  But  the  spirit  of  the  children 
of  Zebedee  and  their  mother,  is  still  visi- 
ble  on  such  occasions;    and  never  more  so 


40  HISTORY    OF    THE 

than  wlien  wise  and  good  rulers,  either  in 
church  or  state^  are  removed  by  death. 
For  who  should  have  sufficient  wisdom — 
who  should  be  so  well  qualified  to  take  the 
helm,  and  guide  the  vessel  safely,  as  the 
Zebedees?  And  should  a  doubt  be  raised, 
they  are   ready  to  answer,  we   are  able. 

"Our  last  word,  when  we  made  the  di- 
gression, was,  'Smiled  joyously  on  that  as- 
sembly.' Here  were  dear  brethren  who  had 
stood  long,  and  stood  firmly,  in  the  cause 
of  God  and  man.  The  spirit  of  ambition 
had  vanished;  its  shadow  was  seen  no  more. 
The  brethren,  it  was  manifest,  had  but  one 
eye,  one  ear,  one  soul,  one  great  thought, 
and  that  Avas,  to  form  a  discipline,  contain- 
ing the  fewest  sections  or  divisions  practic- 
able, and  in  as  few  words  as  the  grave  sub- 
ject would  admit  of,  in  order  to  convey  the 
sense  and  meaning  of  church  rules,  as  held 
by   the  United   Brethren   in  Christ." 

At  the  end  of  foiu'  days  of  diligent  labor, 
the  conference  completed  its  work,  and  or- 
dered the  discipline  agreed  upon  to  be  print- 
ed. This  discipline  contained  no  new  doc- 
trine; nor  did  it  adopt  any  new  feature  of 
church  polity.  The  great  truths  of  the  New 
Testament, — ^the    truths    maintained  by  the 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       41 

Waldenses,  and  so  clearly  set  forth  in  their 
confessions, *-^were  re-affirmed  in  the  simple 
and  almost  exact  language  of  the  Apostles' 
Creed. 

"In  the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and 
confess  before  all  men,"  said  they,  "that 
we  believe  in  the  only  true  Grod,  the  Fa- 
ther, the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  that 
■-hcse  three  are  one — the  Father  in  the  Son, 
the  Son  in  the  Father,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
equal  in  essence  or  being  with  both;  that 
this  triune  God  created  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  as 
well  as  invisible;  and,  furthermore,  sustains, 
governs,  protects,  and  supports  the  same. 

"We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ;  that  He  is 
very  God  and  man;  that  he  became  incar- 
nate by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in 
the  Virgin  Mary,  and  was  born  of  her; 
that  he  is  the  Savior  and  Mediator  of  the 
whole  human  race,  if  they,  with  full  faith 
in  him,  accept  the  gi-ace  proffered  in  Jesus; 
that  this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the 
cross  for  us,  Avas  buried,  arose  again  on  the 
third  day,  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth 
on   the   right   hand  of  God,    to  intercede  for 

*  See  Vol.  1,  p.  31. 


42  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

us;  and  that  he  shall  come  again  at  the 
last  day,  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

"We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;  that  he 
is  equal  in  being  with  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  and  that  he  comforts  the  faithful,  and 
guides  them  into  all  truth. 

"We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church, 
the  communion  of  saints,  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  and  life  everlasting. 

"We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old 
and  New  Testaments,  is  the  word  of  God; 
that  it  contains  the  only  true  way  to  our 
salvation ;  that  every  true  Christian  is  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  with  the  in- 
fluence of  the  Spirit  of  God,  as  the  only 
rule  and  guide;  and  that,  without  faith  in 
Jesus  Christ,  true  repentance,  forgiveness  of 
sins,  and  following  after  Christ,  no  one  can 
be  a  true  Christian. 

"We  also  believe  that  what  is  contained 
m  the  Holy  Scriptures,  to-wit,  the  fall  in 
Adam,  and  redemption  through  Jesus  Christ, 
shall  be  preached  throughout  the  world. 

"We  believe  that  the  ordinances,  viz., 
baptism  and  the  remembrance  of  the  suf- 
ferings and  death  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
are  to  be  in  use,  and  practiced  by  all  Chris- 
tian societies;    and  that  it  is  incumbent  on 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       43 

all  the  children  of  God  particularly  to  prac- 
tice them;  but  the  manner  in  which  ought 
always  to  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  un- 
derstanding of  every  individual.  Also,  the 
example  of  washing  the  feet  must  remain 
free  to  the  judgment  of  every  one." 

The  liberal  views  respecting  the  ordi- 
nances, contained  in  the  last  paragraph  of 
the  Confession,  were  not  new  to  the  general 
conference  of  1815;  they  had  been  enter- 
tained by  Otterbein,  Boehm,  and  all  the  fa- 
thers. There  is  yet  extant  a  somewhat 
elaborate  Confession  of  Faith,  printed  in 
1812,  three  years  previous  to  the  general 
conference,  by  Christopher  Grosh,  from  which 
a  few  passages  may  be  quoted  as  illustrative 
of  the  current  views  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren at  that  period.  Referring  to  those  who 
regard  baptism  with  water  as  an  indispen- 
sable  means   of  salvation,  he  says: 

"There  are  four  denominations  which  in- 
sist on  baptism  by  immersion  as  positively 
necessary  unto  salvation;  yet  these  can  not 
tolerate  a  friendly  association  with  each  other ! ! 
There  are  three  denominations  which  insist 
on  a  copious  pouring  or  sprinkling;  and  yet 
these  seven  stand  so  far  separated  as  if  each 
were  alone  in    the  earth!!      Aud   yet,  each 


44  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

of  these  denominations  lias  (according  to  its 
views)  the  Scriptures  entirely  on  its  side. 
Heaven   be  merciful! 

"I  see,  therefore,  no  better  or  surer  way 
before  me  than  to  keep  myself,  as  much  as 
possible,  out  of  this  whirlpool  of  human 
reasoning,  and  live  in  love  with  all  the 
children  of  Grod,  who  are  among  the  above- 
named  (denominations);  because  I  feel  as- 
sured that  Grod  has  his  people  amongst  all 
those,  who  act  in  love  and  stand  in  friend- 
ship. And  I  will  baptize  such  as  desire  it, 
in  such  manner  as  they,  from  an  under- 
standing of  the  Scriptures,  desire  it — in  the 
water,  under  the  water,  out  of  the  water, 
and  with  water;  and  I  will  offer  the  hand 
of  fellowship  to  all  such,  be  they  of  what- 
ever denomination,  having  received  whatever 
mode  of  baptism,  or  no  baptism  of  water 
at  all,  if  they  have  only  received  the  one  thing 
needful^  of  which  Christ  spoke  to  Martha, 
and  are  free  from  party  (sectarian)  spirit. 
All  such  I  acknowledge  to  be  my  brethren 
and   sisters." 

These  broad  views  accord  entirely  with 
the  Confession  adopted  in  1815;  and,  as  this 
is  a  point  of  vital  importance,  the  reader 
will  be  pleased  to  find  here  a  more  extended 


UNITED    BEETHKEX    IN    CHRIST.       45 

review  of  this  subject,  by  one  of  the  most 
careful  and  clear-headed  members  of  the 
first  general  conference.*  Referring  to  the 
fathers,  he  says: — In  speaking  of  this  ordi- 
nance in  public  or  in  private,  no  one  mode 
was  magnified  or  disparaged,  j^o  one's  bap- 
tism was  declared  void.  JSTo  attempt  was 
made  to  bind  the  mind  to  a  form, — and 
thus  to  wound  a  tender  conscience,  and  thus 
to  esteem  men  differently,  where  God  in 
his  callings,  gifts,  and  graces,  had  made  no 
difierence." 

"It  was  not  water  baptism,  nor  any  mode 
of  baptism,  which  had  made  them  one  in 
Christ;  and  they  reasoned  thus:  'Ba2)tism 
has  not  made  us  to  harmonize  in  our  re- 
ligious experience,  has  not  made  us  sit  to- 
gether in  heavenly  places  in  Christ,  has  not 
been  the  means  of  removing  the  partition 
wall  which  has,  until  recently,  kept  us  far 
from  each  other;  it  was  not  water  baptism, 
but  the  converting  power  of  God, — the  bap- 
tism of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  has  caused 
us  to  love  as  brethren,  and  therefore  water 
baptism   shall  not   separate  us.' 

"With  such  views  Otterbein  and  Boehm 
knew   no   such    thing   as   a  compromise, — an 

*  H.  G.  Spaytb  MS.  in  Telescope  Office. 


46  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

agreeing  to  disagree  on  this  question ;  their 
union  rested  on  a  surer  basis, — on  higher 
and  holier  principles.  They  made  a  distinc- 
tion between  the  immutable  peinciples  of 
religion  and  the  foems  of  religion.  As  able 
ministers  of  the  New  Testament,  they  con- 
tended for  the  su])remacy  of  the  Scriptures, 
for  justification  by  faith,  and  regeneration 
through   the  Holy  Ghost. 

"Boehm  would  witness  the  baptism  of  an 
infant  by  Otterbein  with  benignity  of  coun- 
tenance, and  love  beaming  from  his  eyes ; 
but,  lest  he  might  oifend  his  Mennonite 
brethren  and  kinsmen  in  the  flesh,  Boehm 
himself  baptized  none  but  adults." 

These  views  accord  with  the  practice  of 
inspired  men.  John  the  Baptist  said :  "I 
indeed  baptize  you  with  water  unto  repent- 
ance ;  but  he  that  cometh  after  me  is  might- 
ier than  I,  whose  shoes  I  am  not  worthy 
to  bear:  he  shall  baptize  you  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire."  St.  Paul  said, 
"For  God  sent  me  not  to  baptize,  but  to 
preach,"  From  these,  and  similar  passages, 
we  are  not  to  infer  that  water  baptism  is 
to  be  neglected,  or  that  it  is  an  ordinance 
of  no  importance,  but  that  it  is  an  outward 
form;    and  that,  beautiful  and  impressive  as 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       47 

it  is,  it  slioukl  not  be  placed  on  a  level 
with  that  higher  baptism,  of  which  it  is  but 
the  shadow.  K'or  must  it  be  inferred  from 
the  liberal  views  entertained  by  the  United 
Brethren  respecting  the  mode  of  baptism, 
that  they  intended  either  to  disparage,  or 
to  neglect,  the  ordinance.  They  say — "Bap- 
tism and  the  remembrance  of  the  sufferings 
and  death  of  our  Lord  are  to  be  in  use, 
and  practiced  in  all  Christian  societies ;  and 
that  it  is  incumbent  on  God's  children  par- 
ticularly to  practice  them."  And  they  did 
attend  to  the  consecrating  ordinance  faith- 
fully; but  they  did  not  make  baptism  by 
water,  much  less  baptism  by  any  particular 
mode,  a  test  of  Christian  fellowship.  They 
took  the  ground  taken  by  all  the  evangelical 
denominations  who  joined  in  the  great  union 
prayer  and  conference  meetings  which  have 
distinguished  the  recent  religious  awakening 
in  America,  and  in  Europe;  and  if  ever 
the  Christian  world  becomes  united  in  the 
bonds  of  genuine  fellowship,  it  must  be,  so 
it  seems  to  us,  on  the  high  gi'ound  assumed 
by  our  German  fathers. 

Our  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  on  which 
he  was  betrayed,  took  a  towel  and  a  basin 
of  water,  and  washed  and  wiped  the  feet  of 


48  HISTORY    OF    THE 

his  disc  les.  The  early  brethren  were  gen- 
erally 01  the  opinion  that  the  Savior  intend- 
ed, by  this  act,  to  teach  his  people,  in  all 
ages,  that  they  should  willingly  perform  for 
one  another  the  most  humble  services  which 
their  necessities  might  require;  that  he  who 
would  be  a  useful  and  happy  Christian 
must  not  be  unwilling  to  stoop  to  the  per- 
formance of  menial  toil,  when  the  temporal 
or  spiritual  good  of  even  the  humblest  dis- 
ciple demands  it.  Some  of  the  brethren  were 
of  the  opinion  that  the  example  should  be 
followed  literally;  and  their  views  and  prac- 
tice were  always  respected:  and  those  who 
gave  the  words  a  literal  interpretation,  on 
their  part,  passed  no  severe  judgment  upon 
those  who  differed  with  them  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  the  example  should  be 
observed.  The  last  item  of  the  Confession 
embodies  these  just  and  charitable  views. 

So  much  for  the  Confession  of  Faith,  or 
doctrine  of  the  church;  and,  noAv,  a  few 
words  must  be  added  in  regard  to  its 
polity. 

The  ITINEEANT  PLAN,  which  had  been  tried 
and  ap]3roved,  was  adopted  as  the  best  plan 
for  evangelizing  the  world;  and  measures 
were  introduced  to  render  it  more  effective. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       49 

It  was  agreed  that  the  various  spiritual  in- 
terests of  the  church  should  be  managed  by 
quarterly,  yearly,  and  quadrennial  confer- 
ences. 

To  the  quarterly  conference,  made  up  of 
the  stewards,  leaders,  exhorters,  and  preach- 
ers, of  a  particular  charge,  were  committed 
the  interests  of  the  church,  in  relation  to 
the  support  of  the  itinerant  preachers,  the 
erection  of  churches  anct  parsonages,  the 
granting  of  license  to  candidates  for  the  reg- 
ular ministry,  the  hearing  of  complaints, 
and  the  trial  of  appeals  wliich  might  come 
up  from  the  various  classes  or  churches  con- 
stituting the  charge.  The  presiding  elders, 
who  were,  ex-offido,  chairmen  of  the  quarterly 
conferences,  were  authorized  to  appoint  them 
on  the  various  fields  of  labor  comj^osing 
their  districts. 

The  annual  conference,  composed  of  all  the 
regularly  constituted  preachers,  local  and 
traveling,  within  the  boundaries  of  the  con- 
ference, was  authorized  to  supervise  the 
moral  and  ministerial  character  of  all  its 
members,  hear  reports  fi'om  the  various 
fields,  regulate  the  boundaries  of  the  circuits, 
missions,  and  districts,  institute  new  fields  of 
labor,  receive  and  license  applicants  for  the 
YoL.  11.— 4. 


50  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

ministry,  ordciin  suitable  persons  to  the  of- 
fice of  presbyter  or  elder,  and  give  to  the 
itinerants  their  fields  of  labor.  The  bishops 
were  authorized  to  apj^oint  the  annual  con- 
ferences  and  to  j)reside  over  their  delibera- 
tions. 

The  general  or  quadrennial  conference, 
composed  of  delegates,  elected  from  among 
the  elders  by  a  popular  vote  of  the  mem- 
ber of  the  whole  church,  in  the  various 
,  conferences,  was  empowered  to  review  the  ac- 
tion of  the  annual  conferences,  determine 
their  boundaries,  institute  new  conferences, 
elect  the  general  superintendents,  make  such 
new  rules  and  regulations  as  the  progress  of 
the  cause  might  require,  and  supervise  the 
general  interests  of  the  church.  The  bishops 
were  constituted,  ex-officio,  the  presiding  offi- 
cers of  the  quadrennial  conferences. 

The  regular  official  members  of  the  church, 
as  provided  for  in  the  discipline  of  1815, 
are,  stewards^  leaders,  exhorters,  preachers,  jire- 
siding  elders,  and  sufperintendents  or  bishops. 

A  steward  is  virtually  a  New  Testament 
deacon,  his  business  being  to  attend  to  the 
financial  concerns  of  a  church. 

A  class-leader  is  a  kind  of  sub-pastor,  who 
has   charge   of  the  religious    interests    of   a 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       51 

certain  number  of  the  members  of  the  church, 
whom  he  is  to  meet  in  class,  admonish,  com- 
fort, and  exhort,  as  their  cases  may  require. 
In  the  absence  of  the  pastor  the  leader  is 
required  to  api^oint  and  hold  prayer-meet- 
ings. 

An  exJiorter  is  one  who,  believing  he  has 
a  call  to  exhort  his  fellow-men,  receives  a 
license  to  do  so. 

A  preacher  is  a  regular  minister  of  the 
Gospel — know^n,  also,  as  a  presbyter,  elder, 
or  bishop. 

A  'presiding  elder  is  a  minister  elected, 
for  a  single  year  at  a  time,  to  take  the 
general  oversight  of  a  certain  number  of  cir- 
cuits,  missions,  or  stations. 

A  bishoj),  in  the  sense  in  which  the  term 
is  used  in  the  discipline,  is  a  minister  elect- 
ed to  a  general  superintendency  of  the  church 
for  a  period  of  four  years. 

It  should  be  distinctly  noticed  that  but 
one  order  of  ministers  is  recognized — that  of 
presbyter  or  elder,  or  bishop ;  these  being, 
in  the  judgment  of  the  church,  convertible 
terms.  In  this  view  of  the  parity  of  the 
Grospel  ministry  United  Brethren  are  fully 
sustained  by  the  New  Testament.  "Paul 
sends   to  Ephesus  for  the  elders   (presbyters) 


52  IIlSTOliY    OF    THE 

of  the  church,  and  to  them  he  says,  'Take 
heed  unto  yourselves,  and  to  all  the  flock, 
over  the  which  the  Holy  Grhost  hath  made 
you  overseers  (bishops),  to  feed  the  church 
of  God.'— (Acts  XX.:  17,  28.)  The  word 
bishop  is  never  used  in  the  New  Testament 
to  signify  the  office  of  oversight  over  min- 
isters, but  only  over  the  Jlock  of  Christ. 
'  The  elders  (presbyters)  which  are  among  you 
I  exhort,  who  am  also  an  elder  (presbyter); 
feed  the  flock  of  God  which  is  among  you, 
taking  the  oversight  thereof  -(acting  as  the 
bisliops  tJiereof.) — (1  Pet.  v.:  1,  2.)  Bishops 
and  presbyters  have  the  same  qiialijications 
(Titus  i. :  5,  7,)  and  the  same  duties.— 
(1  Tim.  ii.:  4,  5— v.:  17.)"* 

The  itinerant  preacher's  salary  was  fixed 
at  |80,00  for  an  unmarried,  and  $160,00  for 
a  married,  man;    and  this  was  to  be  paid, 

*  "  The  Scriptural  argument,"  says  Mr.  Coleman  in  his  Primitive 
Church,  "for  the  equality  and  identity  of  bishops  and  presbyters 
or  elders,  may  be  comprised  in  the  following  heads  : 

I.  The  appellations  and  titles  of  a  presbyter  are  used  indis- 
criminately and  interchangably  with  those  of  a  bishop. 

II.  A  presbyter  is  required  to  possess  the  same  qualifications  as 
a  bishop. 

III.  The  official  duties  of  a  presbyter  are  the  same  as  those  of  a 
bishop. 

IV.  There  was,  in  the  apostolical  churches,  no  ordinary  and  per- 
manent grade  or  class  of  ministers  superior  to  that  of  presbyters." 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       53 

in  wliole  or  in  part,  from  a  common  fund 
raised  from  all  the  fields  of  labor.  If  A, 
for  example,  received  |200,00  on  his  circuit, 
and  B  ^100,00,  both  sums  were  put  into 
the  conference  treasury,  and  in  the  end  A 
and  B  fared  alike.  Hence,  we  find  in  the 
conference  minutes,  between  1816  and  1830, 
settlements  like  the  following: 

Money  deceived  from  1821  to  1822. 
Hagerstown  circuit,        -        -        -    |195  27 

Huntington, 52  20 

Juniata, 74  92 

Yirginia, 175  39^ 

Westmoreland,       -        -        -        -        59  70 
Frederickstown,      -        -        -        -        63  01 


Total,           ....  1620  49i 

Honey  paid  out  from  1821  to  1822. 

William  Brown,    ....  |124  10 

John  Brown,          ....  124  10 

Daniel  Pfeifer,       -        -        -        .  62  05 

Conrad  Weist,       .        .        -        .  62  05 

Christian  Traub,    .        -        -        .  62  05 

John  Brown  (of  Pa.),    ...  62  05 

James  Dunnaho,    ....  62  05 

Henry  Burtner,     ...        -  62  05 

Total,           -        ...        -  1620  50 


64  HISTORY    OF     THE 

Christian  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller 
were  elected  bishops.  This  responsibility  had 
been  placed  upon  Mr.  T^ewcomer  by  the 
conference  in  the  East,  first  in  1813,  and 
again  in  1814.  He  had  also  presided  at  each 
session  of  the  Miami  conference,  from  its 
organization  in  1810. 

After  a  session  of  only  four  days,  the  first 
general  conference  adjourned. 

The  discipline  prepared  was  printed  at 
Hagerstown,  in  the  German  language  only. 
It  contains  fifty-five  pages. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.        55 


CHAPTEE  III. 

IMPOSITION  OF  HANDS — RISE  OF  THE  CHURCH 
IN  INDIANA — SECOND  GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
—  CAMP-MEETINGS  —  NEW  SECTIONS  ADDED 
TO    THE    DISCIPLINE. 

The  measures  adopted  by  the  first  general 
conference  exerted  a  happy  influence  upon 
the  church.  The  discipline  agreed  upon,  and 
published,  was  very  generally  received  and 
approved:  and,  in  all  essential  features,  it 
has  passed  the  ordeal  of  eleven  general  con- 
ferences, and  stood  the  test  of  nearly  fifty 
years. 

The  delegates  went  to  their  homes,  not 
with  less  good-will  toward  all  men,  but  with 
more  of  the  denominational  spirit;  and  the 
conviction  began  to  prevail,  that  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  were  called,  not  only  to 
break  up  the  hard  ground  and  sow  the  pre^ 
cious  seed,  but  also  to  harvest  the  ripe  grain. 
Unity  and  confidence,  such  as  had  existed 
under  the  superintendence  of  Otterbein,  were 
iiow  in   a   fair  way  to  supersede  the  tempo- 


56  HISTORY    OF    THE 

rary  division  and  disti'iist ;  and,  subsequent 
to  tlie  year  1815,  the  idea  of  absorption  by 
any  other  religious  body  became  less  and  less 
current.  The  struggle  with  adverse  influ- 
ences was  not  over;  but  the  darkest  hour 
had  passed,  and  to  the  inquiry,  "Watch- 
men, what  of  the  night?"  the  more  hope- 
ful, discerning  the  faint  twilight  in  the 
eastern  sky,  could  reply,  "The  morning 
cometh." 

On  the  27th  of  June,  a  few  days  after 
the  general  conference  adjourned,  the  Miami 
conference  convened  in  Fairfield  Co.,  0. 
Bishop  Newcomer,  assisted  by  A.  Hiestand, 
presided.  Twenty-one  preachers  were  in  at- 
tendance at  the  opening  of  the  conference; 
and  the  session  was  short  and  peaceable. 
Entire  satisfaction  was  expressed  with  the 
action  of  the  general  conference. 

The  subject  of  the  greatest  interest  which 
came  up,  related  to  ordination  by  laying 
ON  OF  HANDS.  This  subject  had  been  agi- 
tated in  this  conference  at  its  third  annual 
session,  in  1813,  as  the  following  extracts 
from  its  minutes  show: 

"26th.  The  mode  of  ordination  was  next 
taken  up,  as  also  the  manner  of  receiving 
a  preacher.      It  is  lamented  that  too  little 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.        57 

order  has  been  attended  to  in  receiving 
preachers,  as  well  as  ordaining.  The  con- 
ference, therefore,  has  taken  it  into  consid- 
eration whether  it  is  proper  that  a  preacher 
should  be  ordained  without  the  laying  on 
of  the  hands   of  an   elder. 

"27th.  After  reading,  singing,  and  prayer, 
took  up  the  subject  of  ordination.  Agreed, 
that  a  petition  be  sent  to  father  Otterbein, 
requesting  him  to  ordain  one  or  more 
preachers,  by  laying  on  of  hands,  who  may 
perform   the   like   office   for   others."* 

A  letter,  or  petition,  was  accordingly  pre- 
pared, read  before  the  conference,  on  the  28th, 
approved,  and  sent  to  Mr.  Otteibein,  who,  in 
compliance  therewith,  ordained,  by  laying  on 
of  hands,  C  Newcomer,  J.  Hoffman,  and  F. 
Schaffer.f 

The  general  conference  of  1815  adopted 
the  views  of  the  Miami  conference,  and 
made  it  a  rule  that  all  candidates  for  the 
ministry  in  the  United  Brethren  church, 
should  be  inducted  into  the  sacred  office  by 
laying  on  of  hands. 

In  compliance  with  this  rule,  the  Miami 
conference,  at  the  session  of  which  we  are 
speaking,    by   a    unanimous    vote,    presented 

*  ISIiami  Coiiferouce  Journal,  pp.  21,  22. 

t  See  a  full  account  of  this  ordination  in  Vol.  I.  pp.  392,  393,  394. 


58  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Christian  Criim,  A.  Hiestand,  Geo.  Benedum, 
Andrew  Zeller,  Daniel  Troyer,  H.  Miller, 
W.  P.  Smith,  and  J.  Gr.  Pfrimmer,  for  ordina- 
tion,  by  laying  on  of  hands.  On  the  last  day 
of  the  conference  these  ministers,  that  noth- 
ing" might  be  wanting  in  the  form  of  induc- 
tion into  the  sacred  office,  and  in  obedience 
to  the  will  of  the  church,  as  expressed  by 
its  highest  court,  presented  themselves  for 
ordination,  according  to  the  solemn  and  im- 
pressive formula  which  had  been  agreed 
upon.  First,  bislio])  Newcomer,  on  whose 
head  had  been  laid  the  hands  of  Otterbein, 
ordained  Christian  Crum;  after  which,  as- 
sisted bv  Mr.  Crum,  he  ordained  the  others. 

Amongst  those  who  were  thus  formally 
ordained,  were  several  venerable  ministers, 
and  one  bishop;  and  it  is  a  fact  that  Mr. 
Newcomer,  himself,  tilled  the  office  of  super- 
intendent, prior  to  his  ordination  by  the  lay- 
ing on  of  hands. 

But  it  would  be  a  blunder  to  infer  that 
these  brethren  had  not  been  ordained;  and, 
that  they  had  not  exercised,  in  a  lawful 
manner,  all  the  functions  of  the  ministry.  No 
question  as  to  the  validity  of  their  ordination 
had  obtained  in  the  minds  of  the  church.* 

*   Ml'.  Harbaugb,   in   a  sketch  of  Mr.    Otterbein's   life,    assumes 
that  the  UEited   Brethren  axiuistrj,   up  to  1813,  ■h'SS  aji   "abnor- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       59 

During  a  long  series  of  years,  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  in  the  United  Brethren 
church,  after  a  suitable  probation,  had  been 
invested  with  the  office  and  responsibilities 
of  elders ;  not  by  the  laying  on  of  hands,  but 
by  the  vote  of  the  conference.  This  fact  is 
attested  by  the  minutes  of  the  conference  in 
the  east,  and  also  by  the  minutes  of  the 
Miami  conference.  The  whole  question  re- 
lated to  the  manner  in  which  ordination 
should  be  performed;  and  a  uniform,  decent, 
solemn,  and,  as  some  believed,  a  scriptural 
mode,  was  adopted,  to  which  all,  including 
the  aged  elders,  willingly  submitted. 

Christian  churches  are  not  agreed  as  to 
the  necessity  and  propriety  of  this  cere- 
mony. Among  the  Methodists,  in  England, 
ordination  is  performed  by  prayer,  without 
the  imposition  of  hands.*  "The  reformed, 
generally,  hold  the  call  of  the  people  the 
only  thing  essential  to  the  validity  of  the  min- 
istry, and  teach  that  ordination  is  only  a  cere- 
mony, which  renders  the  call  more  august 
and  authentic." 

aiiil  ministry  ;"  as  if  the  ceremony  of  laying  on  of  liands,  •w^ere  es- 
sential to  ordination.  It  is  evident,  from  the  stress  which  Mr, 
H.  places  upon  this  ceremony,  that  additional  information  on  thtj 
bubjfct,  would  be  no   disadvantage  to  him. 

*  Encyclopedia   of  Religious    Knowledge,  p.  892. 


60  HISTORY    OF    THE 

United  Brethren  have  generally  believed 
that  ordination,  whether  with  or  without  the 
laying  on  of  hands,  is  a  work  committed  to 
elders  by  divine  appointment  ;*  and  the  wis- 
dom which  induced  them  to  require  that  all 
candidates  for  elders'  orders  should  prove 
themselves  worthy,  by  a  long  probation,  and 
a  careful  examination,  and  that  to  the  sol- 
emn vote  of  the  elders  should  be  added  the 
appropriate  and  impressive  ceremony  of  lay- 
ing on  the  hands,  will  hardly  be  questioned. 

As  early  as  1814,  John  G.  Pfrimmer,  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  of  the  German 
fathers,  moved  into  the  territory  of  Indiana, 
and  lifted  up  the  standard  of  Immanuel. 
He  located  his  family  near  Cory  don,  in  Har- 
rison county,  while  the  country  was  yet  al- 
most an  unbroken  wilderness ;  and  to  him 
belongs  the  honor  of  planting  the  fiest 
United  Beethren  societies  in  Indiana. 


*  "  If  the  power  to  ordain  is  lodged  in  the  people,  how  happens 
it  that  in  all  the  ei^istles,  not  a  single  word  is  to  be  found  giving 
them  anj^  directions  about  constituting  ministers.  On  the  other 
hand,  in  the  epistles  to  Timothy  and  Titus,  who  were  pers-ons 
in  office,  we  find  particular  instructions  given  them  to  lay  hands 
suddenly  on  no  man,  to  examine  his  qualifications  before  they 
ordain  him,  and  to  take  care  that  they  commit  the  office  onlj^  to 
faithful  men,  who  shall  be  able  to  teach  others  also.  There  is 
scarcely  a  single  ecclesiastical  Avriter  that  does  not  expressly  men- 
tion ordination  aa  the  work  of  elders." — Ency.  Rel.  Knowl. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       61 

At  the  Miami  conference  of  1816,  a  dis- 
trict, called  the  "Kentucky  and  Indiana  dis- 
trict," was  constituted,  of  which  J.  G.  Pfrim- 
mer  was  appointed  presiding  elder.  From 
this  conference,  which  met  in  Montgomery 
county,  Ohio,  bishop  Newcomer  made  his 
first  tour  into  Indiana,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Pfrimmer.  The  country  was  almost"  entirely 
without  roads,  and,  from  j^ew  Lexington, 
they  were  obliged  to  hire  a  pilot  to  conduct 
tliem  through  the  forest.  Reaching  Clark 
county,  Mr.  Newcomer  writes :  "  Bless  the 
Lord,  this  morning  I  am  well,  and  am  de- 
termined, by  his  grace,  to  do  and  suifer  the 
will  of  my  heavenly  Master.  I  am  now  in 
Clark  county,  more  than  a  hundred  miles 
west  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  We  came,  to- 
day, to  an  elevated  spot  of  ground  whence 
v\'e  had  a  view  all  around  to  a  consider- 
able distance;  here  I  humbled  myself  on 
my  knees,  in  gratitude  to  God,  who,  in 
mercy,  has  preserved  me  in  the  wilderness 
to  the  present  time." 

We  have,  in  this  note,  a  glimpse  of  In- 
diana a  little  more  than  forty  years  ago. 
Perhaps  those  venerable  fathers,  when  thread- 
ing the  wilderness,  on  Indian  trails,  or  blaz 
ing   their  way .  through    the    pathless  woods, 


62  HISTORY    OF    THE 

guided  by  a  compass,  could  hardly  have  be- 
lieved that,  in  so  short  a  period  as  forty 
years,  a  great  State  would  spring  up,  and 
that  the  United  Brethren  church,  which  had 
then  a  few  feeble  societies,  would  num- 
ber live  strong  conferences,  and  thousands 
of  members. 

From  1816  to  1819  but  little,  compara- 
tively, was  done  in  Indiana,  for  the  want 
of  an  efficient  itinerant  ministry.  In  1819, 
however,  the  cause  began  to  move  forward 
rapidly  under  the  efficient  labors  of  Jacob 
Antrim,  who  was  placed  that  year  on  White 
Water  circuit,  where  he  gathered  hundreds 
into  the  church.  In  1820  the  work  was 
carried  on  with  almost,  if  not  quite,  equal 
success,  under  the  labors  of  James  Ross  and 
A.  Shingledecker,  who  followed  Mr.  Antrim 
ori\W^hite  Water  circuit.  The  same  year  the 
cause  received  a  still  greater  impetus,  under 
the  labors  of  John  McNamar,  who  opened 
an  entirely  new  circuit  between  Lawrence- 
burg  and  Corydon.  Pfrimmer,  Doup,  and  J. 
Evinger,  were  also  engaged  on  a  work  along 
the  river,  designated  as  the  "  Indiana  Knobs 
circuit."  In  1821,  Mr.  Antrim  was  again 
sent  to  Indiana,  also  William  Stubbs,  whose 
labors  were  greatly  blessed.     These  were  fol- 


TTNITED    BRETHREN"     IN    CHRIST.      63 

lowed  by  the  Bonebrakes,  George  and  Hen- 
ry, both  strong  men,  and  by  J.  Mahan,  F. 
Whitcom,  A.  Farmer,  and  other  efficient  Ux- 
borers.  From  1819  to  the  present  time,  the 
United  Brethren  church  in  Indiana  has  had 
a   healthy  and   rapid   groAvth. 

Let  us  now  return  to  the  East.  At  the 
annual  conference  held  in  Franklin  county, 
Pa.,  in  May,  1815,  the  subject  of  Ccimp- 
meetings  came  up,  w^as  discussed,  and  a  reso- 
lution w^as  adopted  that  such  a  meeting  should 
be  held  in  the  August  following,  at  Rocky 
Springs,  Franklin  county.  Pa.  Accordingly, 
on  the  17th  of  August,  1815,  two  months 
after  the  general  conference,  the  first  camp- 
meeting  ever  held  by  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  was  commenced.  It  continued  four 
days,  and  was  a  remarkably  good  meeting. 
Bishop  IS'ewcomer,  who  attended,  says  of  it: 
"  The  Lord  truly  was  in  the  camp.  Sun- 
day, the  20th,  we  had  a  particularly  blessed 
time.  A  vast  concourse  of  people  attended, 
and  many  were  the  slain  of  the  Lord.  Many 
were  happily  converted,  and  enabled  to  re- 
turn home  rejoicing  in  God  their  Savior. 
Glory,  honor,  and  praise,  be  unto  the  Lamb 
forever!"  The  following  year  two  or  three 
camp-meetings    were    held    by   the    United 


64  H  I  ST  0  II Y    OF    THE 

Brethren ;  and,  for  a  long  series  of  years, 
these  meetings  have  been  a  favorite  means 
of  grace;  and  although,  as  the  country  grows 
older,  as  the  facilities  for  public  worship  are 
increased,  and  as  evangelical  churches  are 
furnished  with  better  means  of  reaching  the 
masses  of  the  people,  they  are  going  into 
disuse,  yet  they  are  still  highly  prized  in 
some  portions  of  the  church,  and  especially 
in  Pennsylvania, 

Camp-meetings  originated  among  the  Pres- 
byterians, in  Kentucky,  in  1799.  While 
two  pious  brothers '  named  McGree,  John  and 
Charles,  were  on  a  tour  through  that  State, 
they  arrived  at  a  settlement  where  a  Pres- 
byterian minister,  named  McGready,  was 
holding  a  sacramental  meeting.  The  three 
ministers  (one  of  the  McGrees  was  a  Meth- 
odist, the  other  a  Presbyterian)  labored  to- 
gether at  the  sacramental  meeting,  "which 
was  attended  with  such  an  outpouring  of 
the  Spirit  upon  the  people,  that,  instead  of 
separating  as  usual,  they  continued  the  meet- 
ing. Others  from  the  surrounding  country, 
hearing  of  the  extraordinary  indications  of 
the  Divine  presence,  came  in;  and  the  meet- 
ing was  continued  several  days;  the  i3eople 
meantime    suj^plying    themselves    with    pro- 


UNITE!)    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      65 

visions,  and  lodging  in  covered  wagons, 
huts,  and  booths.  The  McGees  soon  appoint- 
ed a  camp-meeting  in  an  adjoining  district, 
and  subsequently  another  still,  both  of  which 
were  signally  owned  of  God  in  the  salva- 
tion  of  souls. 

These  grand  mass-meetings  exerted  no  in- 
considerable influence  on  the  early  religious 
history  of  this  rapidly-growing  country.  Their 
excellence,  as  an  evangelizing  agency,  espe- 
cially in  new  countries,  or  in  an  old  coun- 
try, where,  for  the  want  of  houses  of  wor- 
ship under  the  control  of  evangelical  Chris- 
tians, the  masses  of  the  people  can  not  be 
reached,  is  apparent.  Tens  of  thousands  on 
earth,  and  probably  millions  in  heaven,  will 
forever  bless  the  Lord  for  camp-meetings, 
and  associate  the  circle  of  tents,  the  cool 
and  leafy  grove,  the  rude  altar,  and  preach- 
er's  stand,  with  their  espousal  to  Christ. 

The    SECOND  GENERAL   CONFERENCE   met  in 

Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa., 
June  the  2d,  1817.  The  members  present 
were:  C,  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller, 
bishops;  A.  Meyer,  Joseph  Hoffman,  J^ohn 
Snyder,  H.  Kumler,  sen.,  Jacob  Dehoff,  L. 
Cramer,  D.  Mechlin,  H.  Gr.  Spayth,  L.  Roth, 
and  H.  Ow.  Bishop  ^N'ewcomer,  assisted  by 
Vol.  II.— 5. 


66  HISTORY    OF    THE 

bishop   Zeller,  i^rcsided,   and   H.   G.   Spayth 
was  the   secretary. 

No  changes  were  made  by  this  conference 
in  the  eight  sections  of  discipline  adopted 
in  1815,  but  five  new  sections,  four  of  which 
are  found  in  the  present  discipline,  were 
added.  The  first  section  added  relates  to 
the  importance  of  union  in  the  church,  and 
the  means  of  preserving  it.  The  rules  laid 
down,  if  observed,  would  always  secure  the 
most  j)erfect  unity.  If  Christians  felt  the 
necessity  of  union ;  if  they  prayed  earnestly 
for  it;  if  they  would  never  part  without 
prayer;  if  they  honored  each  other's  gifts, 
and  always  entertained  a  sacred  regard  for 
each  other's  reputation,  in  honor  preferring 
one  another,  they  would  indeed  be  one  as 
the  Father  and  the  Son  are  one. 

The  second  section  added  relates  to  pas- 
toral work,  and  reads  as  follows: 

Ques.  How  can  we  further  assist  those 
under  our  care? 

A71S.  By  instructing  them  at  their  own 
houses,  which  is  necessary  to  promote  con- 
fidence and  communion  with  Grod  among  us, 
to  w*ean  us  from  the  love  of  the  world, 
and  to  inure  us  to  a  life  of  heavenly-mind- 
.edness;  also,  to  encourage  us  to  strive  after 


UKITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       67 

and  practice  brotherly  love,  that  no  evil 
thinking  or  judging  of  one  another  be  found 
among  us ;  and  lastly,  that  we  may  learn 
to  do  as  we  would  wish  to  be  done  by. 

2.  Every  preacher  should  make  it  his 
duty  to  instruct  the  people  on  every  occa- 
sion, both  public  and  jDrivate ;  and  exhort 
them  to  be  diligent  in  all  good  works  and 
doctrine.  Until  this  be  done,  and  that  in 
sincerity,  we  shall,  upon  the  whole,  be  of 
but  little  use,  and  our  good  shall  be  evil 
spoken  of;  therefore,  wherever  we  may  be, 
we  should  guard  against  useless  and  idle 
conversation. 

Undoubtedly  this  private  application  of 
visiting  from  house  to  house,  and  exhorting 
the  people,  is  found  or  implied  in  these  sol- 
emn words  of  the   Apostle: 

"I  charge  thee,  therefore,  before  God  and 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge  the 
quick  and  the  dead  at  his  appearing  and 
his  kingdom ;  preach  the  word ;  be  instant 
in  season,  out  of  season;  reprove,  rebuke, 
exhort,  with  all  long  suffering  and  doctrine." 
2  Tim.  iv. :  1,  2. 

The  third  new  section  is  supplementary 
to  the  preceding,  and  relates  to  the  instruc- 
tion of  children : 


68  HISTORY    OF    THE 

"What  shall  be  done  to  benefit  the  rising 
generation  ? 

"  Let  him  who  is  in  any  way  zealous  for 
God,  and  the  souls  of  men,  begin  the  work 
immediately.  Wherever  children  are  found, 
meet  them,  as  often  as  possible ;  speak  freely 
with  them,  and  instruct  them  diligently ; 
exhort  them  to  be  good,  and  pray  with  them 
earnestly,  yet  simply  and  plainly,  that  they 
may  learn  to  know  their  Creator  and  Re- 
deemer in  the  days  of  their  youth." 

The  fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  added  sections 
contain  forms  for  the  ordination  of  elders 
and  superintendents,  and  for  the  solemniza- 
tion of  marriage.  The  ordination  of  bishops 
was  an  innovation  at  variance  with  a  well- 
established  251'iiiciple  of  the  church.  Hence, 
in  1825  the  practice  was  condemned,  and 
the  form  swept  from  the  discipline.  This 
was  wise   and  timely. 

One  new  conference  was  formed,  and  called 
the  Muskingum.  It  embraced  a  small  por- 
tion of  western  Pennsylvania,  including 
Westmoreland  and  Washington  counties,  and 
that  part  of  Ohio  which  lies  east  and  north 
of  the  Muskingum  river.  The  territory  is 
a  good  one ;  but,  at  that  period,  it  embraced 
only  a  few  feeble  churches, — no  circuits,  no 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN    CHEIST.       69 

itinerants,  and  less  than  a  dozen  local 
preachers. 

Christian  Newcomer  and  Andrew  Zeller 
were  re-elected  superintendents. 

It  was  voted  that  one  hundred  copies  of 
the  discipline  should  be  printed  in  the  En- 
glish language. 


70  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  lY. 

SOME  OF  THE  PIONEERS — BENEDUM,  ZELLER, 
SPAYTH,  KUMLER,  TROYER,  EVINGER,  SMALTZ, 
CRAMER. 

To  those  Christian  ministers  who,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  century,  left  their  comfort- 
able homes  in  the  East,  and,  on  the  first 
tide  of  emigration,  moved  westward,  that 
they  might  establish  churches,  and  feed  the 
sheep  of  Christ  in  the  wilderness,  we  all 
owe  a  large  debt  of  gratitude.  Among  the 
earliest  and  most  efficient  of  these  pioneers 
in  the  United  Brethren  church,  were  George 
Benedum  and  Andrew  Zeller.  Scarcely  had 
Ohio  become  a  State,  when  these  devoted 
servants  of  God  bade  farewell  to  their  breth- 
ren in  Pennsylvania,  and,  taking  with  them 
their  wives  and  children,  removed  to  what 
was  then  regarded  as  the  "far  west."  Mr. 
Benedum  settled  in  Fairfield,  and  Mr.  Zel- 
ler  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio;  and,  prob- 
ably, to  no  two   men  is  the  church  in  the 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST-.       71 

West,  and  especially  in  the  Miami  and  Scioto 
conferences,  so  much  indebted  for  its  early 
and  rapid  growth,  and  present  strength  and 
prosperity. 

George  Benedum,  who  was  among  the 
earlier  fruits  of  the  revival  of  religion  in 
Pennsylvania,  was  admitted  into  the  confer- 
ence in  1794,  in  the  29th  year  of  his  age. 
He  was  present  at  the  old  conference,  in 
1804,  after  which  time  his  name  disappears 
from  the  journal.  The  precise  date  of  his 
removal  to  the  west  has  not  been  obtained, 
but  it  must  have  been  as  early  as  1806; 
and  it  is  certain  that  he  was  one  of  the 
first  United  Brethren  evangelists  in  Ohio. 
Immediately  after  his  settlement  in  the 
Scioto  Valley,  he  lifted  up  the  standard  of 
the  cross,  around  which  many  of  the  early 
settlers  were  persuaded  to  rally.  Amongst 
those  who  were  won  to  Christ,  during  the 
earlier  years  of  his  labors  in  the  west,  we 
find  the  names  of  several  who  afterward 
became  useful  ministers.  Of  these  it  will 
be  sufficient  to  name  D.  Mechlin,  Lewis 
Cramer,  John  Smaltz,  and  bishop  Samuel 
Hiestand.  He  assisted  in  the  organization 
of  the  Miami  conference,  in   1810,   and  was 


72  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  member  of  the  first,  third,  fifth,  and  sixth 
general  conferences. 

"Mr.  Benednm*  possessed  first  rate  nat- 
ural endowments.  His  apprehension  was 
quick,  judgment  accurate,  imagination  fertile ; 
and,  though  no  one  had  a  nicer  discrimina- 
tion of  the  excellencies  or  defects  of  a  per- 
formance, yet  his  diffidence,  and  the  tender- 
ness of  his  heart,  generally  repressed  the 
utterance  of  a  criticism.  He  knew  no  lux- 
ury so  great  as  the  reading  of  the  Bible. 
As  often  as  I  have  been  at  his  house,  I 
never  saw  him  read  any  other  book.  He 
was  a  man  of  one  book.  When  at  meetings, 
although  other  books  might  lie  before  Lim 
on  the  table,  he  would  take  out  his  Bible 
and  pore  over  its  sacred  pages.  He  received 
the  Bible  as  a  direct  revelation.  Other  books 
might  contain  truth,  but  it  comes  second 
hand.  In  other  books  the  water  may  be 
roiled ;  in  the  Bible  it  is  always  clear ;  or, 
to  change  the  figure,  we  find,  in  the  sacred 
volume,  the  clean  grain,  without  chess  or 
chaff. 

"As   a  teacher  of  the   young,   Mr.  Bene- 

*  This  sketch  is  from  the  pen  of  Bishop  Kussel,  who  was  long  Mr. 
Benedum's  intimate  friend. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       73 

dum  was  mild  and  genial  as  the  rays  of  a 
spring  sun,  yet  he  did  not  lack  firmness. 
As  a  helper  to  young  preachers,  none 
surpassed  him.  He  heard  their  prayers  and 
discourses  with  tenderness ;  his  countenance 
beamed  with  pleasure  when  he  discovered 
indications  of  talent  and  of  improvement; 
he  was  slow  to  reprove,  ready  to  encourage, 
and  kept  before  their  minds  the  imj)ortance 
of  personal  religion,  and  dependence  on  God. 

"As  a  minister,  Mr.  Benedum  was  a 
scribe  well  instructed  in  the  kingdom  of 
Grod;  and,  like  a  householder,  he  brought 
forth  out  of  his  treasure  things  new  and  old. 
He  had,  as  may  be  inferred  ftom  what  has 
been  said,  a  vast  fund  of  Scriptural  and 
experimental  knowledge.  Few  furnished,  in 
their  sermons,  so  great  a  variety  of  impor- 
tant truths.  The  principles  he  taught  were 
those  he  himself  had  learned  ffom  the  word 
of  God. 

"I  imagine  I  see  him  now  standing  be- 
fore his  audience,  having  his  Bible  on  the 
palm  of  his  hand,  and  with  the  other  bear- 
ing on  it,  and  that  I  hear  his  clear,  shrill 
voice,  as  he  cries, — 

"'Brethren,  I  exult  in  the  word  of  God!' 
He  did  not  always  harp  upon  two  or  thre© 


74  HISTORY    OF    THE 

topics,  or,  like  some  mis-educated  men,  go 
around  through  the  field  of  Grospel  truth 
like  a  horse  in  a  tread-mill.  He  employed, 
in  his  preaching,  both  the  expository  and 
topical  methods.  His  manner,  in  the  pulpit 
and  out  of  it,  was  grave  and  becoming. 
He  was  master  of  the  G-erman  language, 
and  was  never  at  a  loss  for  the  proper 
word, 

"I- could  not  remain  in  his  company  with- 
out realizing  something  of  the  innocence  and 
purity  of  the  paradisiacal  state.  I  have 
heard  many  pray,  but  never  one  like  father 
Benedum. 

"I  was  present  when  he  formed  the  first 
regular  class  on  Pleasant  Run,  in  1818. 
His  invitation  for  members  so  captivated  the 
people,  that  they  pressed  around  him  in 
crowds,  giving  him  their  hands,  weeping 
and  shouting.  At  a  camp-meeting  on  Pleas- 
ant Run,  I  heard  him  ]3reach  a  sermon  be- 
fore the  sacrament,  on  Isaiah  liii. :  12 ;  and 
such  was  the  profundity  of  thought,  and 
such  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  the 
sermon,  that  it  seemed  to  me  that  heaven 
and   earth  were  coming  together!" 

Bishop  Edwards  remarked  to  the  writer 
that,    although    he    could   not    understand  a 


UNITED    BRETHEEN     IN    CHRIST.       75 

sentence  of  the  G-erman  language,  yet 
he  always  became  happy  under  his  preach- 
ing. He  traveled  and  preached  much,  re- 
ceiving but  a  trifling  pecuniary  considera- 
tion ;  and  when  death  came,  on  the  27th  of 
March,  1837,  he  met  it  with  a  smile.  His 
exit  was  happy.  The  light  of  his  life  shone 
undimmed  to  the  last.  He  died  in  his  72d 
year,  after  having  preached  forty-three  years. 
His  body  sleeps  at  Baltimore,  Fairfield  coun- 
ty, Ohio. 

Andrew  Zeller  entered  into  the  service 
of  God  about  the  year  1790.  As  early  as 
1806  he  settled  in  the  Miami  Valley,  near 
Germantown,  Montgomery  county,  where  he 
immediately  began  to  build  up  the  kingdom 
of  Christ,  He  assisted  in  organizing  the 
first  conference  in  Ohio ;  served  several  years 
as  presiding  elder;  was  a  delegate  to  the 
first  general  conference,  in  1815,  where  he 
was  elected  bishop,  which  ofiice  he  filled, 
with  entire  acceptability,  for  a  period  of  six 
years.  His  good  sense,  deep  piety,  and  lib- 
erality, contributed  greatly  to  the  prosperity 
of  the  cause  of  Christ,  especially  in  the 
Miami  Valley,  where  his  influence  will  be 
perpetuated  to   the   end  of  time. 

Bishop   Zeller,   as    he    appeared    at    four- 


76  niSTOEY    OF    TH'E 

score,  is  described  as  a  little  above  the  me- 
dium bight,  and  remarkably  straight; 
hair  white,  and,  on  the  top  of  his  head, 
thin ;  eyes  grey  and  full,  and  skin  very 
fair.  To  the  last  year  of  his  life  he  walked 
perfectly  erect,  and  with  a  quick  and  meas- 
ured  step. 

As  a  preacher,  he  was  mild,  plain,  and 
evangelical ;  and  this  much  may  be  said  of 
many  other  men ;  but  of  Mr.  Zeller  it  must 
be  added,  that  his  life  was  a  sermon.  There 
was  something  in  the  expression  of  his  coun- 
tenance which  sometimes  sent  conviction  to 
the  sinner's  heart.  As  an  illustration  of  the 
hallowed  personal  influence  that  attended 
him,  and  expressed  itself  often  when  he  was 
silent,  Mr.  Spayth  relates  an  anecdote,  which 
came  under   his  own  observation : 

"  While  on  his  official  tour  in  1815,  he 
had  to  have  a  small  piece  of  work  done,  in 

the  town    of   M .      The  mechanic   was  a 

worthy  man,  but  would  attend  no  church, 
nor  hear  preaching.  While  doing  the  work, 
he  cast  a  heedless  look  at  brother  Zeller, 
who  stood  not  far  away,  with  his  hands 
folded  before  him.  The  man  looked  the  sec- 
ond and  the  third  time,  but  with  feelings 
which  had  begun  to  steal  on  him  for  which 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       77 

he  could  not  account.  Another  look,  and  an 
arrow  shot  through  his  breast.  From  that 
moment  he  had  no  rest  (the  stranger  stood 
ever  before  hhn,  with  folded  hands,  and,  as 
he  thought,  praying  to  God  for  his  poor 
soul),  till  God  spoke  peace  to  him.  That 
man  has,  ever  since,  been  a  consistent  Chris- 
tian. How  many  splendid  sermons  are 
preached  which  are  followed  by  no  conver- 
sions." 

"What  a  contrast,"  adds  Mr.  Spayth, 
"between  what  men  call  great  preachers, 
and  those  God  approves.  One  hears  the 
echo  of  applause ;  the  other  is  followed  by 
a  train  of  happy  souls  bound  to  meet  him 
in  heaven.  We  now  see  through  a  glass, 
darkly;  fleeting  visions  pass  before  and 
around  us,  which  will  prove  happy  realities 
when  the  vail  shall  be  lifted,  and  we  shall 
see  the  saints  who  are  the  joy  and  diadem 
of  the  true  minister,  reflecting  the  light  of 
Jesus  Christ." 

This  venerable  bishop  and  pioneer  evan- 
gelist died  on  the  25th  of  May,  1839,  in 
the  84th  year  of  his  age.  The  Miami  con- 
ference, which  had  held  a  number  of  its 
earlier  annual  meetings  at  his  house,  was  in 
session   at  Germantown,  at  the  time  of  his 


78  HISTORY    OF    THE 

decease.  To  his  brethren  who  visited  him 
he  expressed  a  great  longing  for  the  heav- 
enly state.  When  the  hand  of  death  was 
upon  him,  he  was  asked  if  he  thought  his 
last  hour  had  come.  He  replied,  with  evi- 
dent pleasure — "I  hope  so;"  and  then  he 
folded  his  arms,  and,  without  a  struggle, 
calmly  fell  asleej)  in  Jesus.  How  sweet  to 
die,  after  half  a  century  of  unremitting 
devotion  to  the  Lord's  cause. 

In  the  year  1812,  at  the  conference  which 
met  at  the  Antietam,  the  name  of  Heney 
Gr.  Spayth  first  appears  upon  the  minutes ; 
and  he  was  that  year  received  into  the  itin- 
eracy, and  directed  to  spend  the  latter  part 
of  the  year  in  Virginia.  In  1813  he  was 
appointed  to  a  circuit  in  Maryland.  In 
1814  he  received  "license  to  bai)tize,  to  sol- 
emnize ' marriage,  and  to  assist  in  adminis- 
tering the  Lord's  Supper;"  and  was  placed 
on  the  Rockingham  circuit,  now  within  the 
bounds  of  the   Virginia  conference. 

About  the  year  1815,  he  removed  to  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Pa.,  where,  for  the  want  of  an  ade- 
quate salary,  he  supj^orted  his  family,  in 
part,  by  teaching  school.  He  stood  high,  at 
that  early  period,  in  the  esteem  of  his  breth- 
ren,  and  was  sent  to  the  first  general  con- 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.      79 

ference,  in  which  body  he  exerted  an  impor- 
tant influence.  At  the  moment  when  a  rup- 
ture in  that  body  seemed  inevitable,  and  the 
powers  of  darkness  were  ready  to  shout  a 
victory,  Mr.  S.  arose  and  delivered  an  ad- 
dress, which,  with  the  prayer-meeting  that 
followed,  resulted  in  a  complete  restoration 
of  good  feeling,  and  a  most  happy  termin- 
ation of  the  difficulties.* 

He  was  also  a  member  of  the  second, 
fourth,  sixth,  eighth,  ninth,  and  tenth  gen- 
eral conferences.  Being  a  man  of  discrim- 
inating intellect  and  strong  will,  and  pos- 
sessing superior  tact  as  a  speaker  and  writer, 
he  exerted,  in  all  those  conferences,  a  very 
considerable  influence.  Perhaps  few  men  did 
more  to  shape  the  polity  of  the  church  from- 
1815   to  1845 — a  period  of  thirty  years 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Muskingum  con- 
ference in  its  infancy,  and,  as  early  as  1821, 
served  in  it  as  a  presiding  elder.  As  there 
were  few  itinerant  laborers  in  the  confer- 
ence, the  work  of  the  ministry  devolving 
mainly  upon  those  who  are  now  regarded 
as  local  preachers,  his   duties  as  a  presiding 


*  This  fact  was  given  to  the  writer  by  an  aged  layman  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 


80  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

elder  re   aired    frequent  and    long  journeys, 
and  mucii  sevei^e  labor. 

Removing  to  Tiffin,  Ohio,  about  the  time 
the  Sandusky  conference  was  organized,  he 
became  identified  with  that  body,  and  has 
ever  since  remained  a  respected  and  active 
member.  The  general  conference  of  1845 
appointed  him  chairman  of  a  committee, 
George  Hiskey  and  William  ITanby  being 
the  other  members,  to  revise  the  hymn- 
book  of  the  church.  The  book  prepared 
gives  evidence  of  excellent  taste  in  the  com- 
pilers ;  and,  had  they  not  been  required  to 
prepare  a  small  book,  it  is  not  probable 
that  the  work  would  very  soon  have  been 
superceded. 

At  the  general  conference  of  1841,  it  was 
resolved  "that  our  aged  fathers,  J.  Hoffman, 
John  Hildt,  D.  Troyer,  A.  Hiestand,  J. 
Baulus,  H.  G.  Sj^ayth,  J.  Neiding,  C.  Her- 
shey  of  Pa.,  J.  Yordy,  Gr.  Guething,  W. 
Ambrose,  J.  Hershey  of  Md.,  B.  Lawman, 
C.  Smith,  J.  Dehoff,  H.  Kumler,  J.  Sneider, 
V.  Daub,  and  H.  Ow,  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish, to  a  committee,  all  the  facts  in  their 
possession  in  relation  to  the  rise,  etc.,  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  in  America." 
It  was  further  agreed  that  C.  Smith,  J.  Erb, 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       81 

and  J.  Russel,  bo  a  committee  to  receive 
the  materials  furnished,  and  prepare  a  his- 
tory of  the  church  for  publication.  The  his- 
tory did  not  appear.  Nothing,  in  fact,  was 
done  toward  it;  and,  at  the  general  confer- 
ence of  1845,  the  subject  came  up  again, 
when  Mr.  Spayth  was  appointed  to  prepare 
the  desired  work  for  publication.  The  task, 
which  was  by  no  means  an  easy  one,  was 
not  completed  until   1851. 

In  this  work  Mr.  Spayth's  best  qualities 
of  head  and  heart  are  displayed.  He  ex- 
hibits a  discriminating  knowledge  of  the 
causes  which  led  to  the  rise  of  the  church, 
and  of  the  venerable  men  who,  as  the  agents 
of  the  Lord,  laid  its  foundation,  and,  for  a 
long  series  of  years,  built  thereon  the  gold, 
the  silver,    and  the  precious  stones.  i 

As  a  preacher,  Mr.  S.  is  always  instruct- 
ive to  the  cultivated  hearer;  but  he  gen- 
erally fails  to  interest  the  masses.  In  a  few 
instances,  however,  he  has  been  known  to 
move  large  congregations  as  the  storm-swept 
forest  is  moved.  In  one  of  these  happy 
moods  he  preached  at  Kimberlin's  in  1843: 
— Text: — "What  is  man,  that  thou  art 
mindful  of  him,  and  the  Son  of  Man,  that 
thou  vifeltcst  him."  Those  who  heard  him 
Vol.  n.  -f 


82  H'TSTORY    OF    THE 

then  will  always  remember  the  occasion  as 
one  of  the  happiest  of  their  lives.  Many 
years  since,  he  preached  under  the  influence 
of  this  divine  afflatus  near  Fremont,  Ohio. 
Text,  "My  doctrine  shall  drop  as  the  rain; 
my  speech  shall  distil  as  the  dew, — as  the 
small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb, — as  the 
showers  upon  the  grass." — Deut.  xxxii. :  2, 
Years  afterward,  when  the  writer  traveled 
in  that  section  of  the  country,  he  heard  this 
sermon  referred  to  as  one  of  remarkable 
beauty   and  power. 

After  a  service  in  the  ministry  of  half  a 
century,  Mr.  Spayth  preserves  the  full  force 
of  his  intellect,  walks  erect,  takes  an  active 
part  in  the  business  of  the  conference  to 
which  he  belongs,  and  maintains  a  lively  in- 
terest in  the  church,  and  in  the  cause  of 
the  Redeemer   in  the   world. 

We  will  now  introduce  to  the  reader  a 
name  which  is  as  ointment  poured  forth, 
wherever  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  are 
known.  We  refer  to  Henry  Kumler,  sen.* 
Mr.  Kumler's  ancestors  were  from  Switzer- 
land. He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Janu- 
ary 3d,   1775.      His  convictions   for  sin   date 

*  This  sketch  is  mainly  an  abridgment  from  an  autobiography  pub- 
lished iu  Unity  Magazine,  Vol.  I. 


UNITED    BEETHIIEX    IX    CHRIST.       83 

back  to  his  seventh  year.  After  passing 
through  the  usual  catechetical  course,  he 
was  received  into  the  German  Reformed 
church,  in  Greencastle,  Pa.  A  large  portion 
of  his  experience  must  be  given  in  his  own 
words.  "I  l)ecame  more  careless,"  he  writes, 
"until  the  year  1811,  when  I  was  in  my 
barn  one  day,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  entered 
my  heart.  With  great  astonishment  I  look- 
ed upon  my  youthful  days,  knowing  that 
God  had  often  called  me,  and  that  I  had 
just  as  often  promised  to  live  for  him. 
With  tears  I  cried  out  '  0  my  God,  how 
good  thou  art!'  The  compassion  of  God  fill- 
ed me  with  amazement.  Light  sprung  up 
in  my  mind.  I  was  as  well  convinced  that 
this  was  the  last  call,  as  I  could  have  been 
by  an  audible  voice.  *  *  My  distress  was 
great.  I  abandoned  my  work,  and  sought 
a  secret  place  to  pray.  I  was  determined 
never  to  cease  the  struggle  until  I  had  ob- 
tained mercy.  I  passed  eleven  days  in  this 
condition;  and  as  I  was  alone  in  my  barn, 
at  prayer,  in  the  evening,  my  heart  was  so 
filled  Avith  the  love  of  God  that  I  could  no 
longer  restrain  myself.  I  ran  to  the  house, 
and  spoke  to  my  wife  of  the  great  necessity 


84  HISTORY    OF    THE 

of   our    souls'    salvation.      That   evening  we 
had  family  worship  for  the  first  time." 

Soon  after  Mr.  Kumler^'s  conversion,  he 
was  the  means  of  the  salvation  of  others ; 
and,  the  news  being  spread  abroad,  some 
United  Brethren  and  Evangelical  ministers 
visited  him,  and  preached  at  his  house ;  not, 
however,  on  the  hours  of  public  worship 
in  the  German  Reformed  church,  to  which 
he  belonged.  This  fact,  together  with  the 
prayer  and  speaking  meetings  in  which  he 
participated,  excited  the  displeasure  of  his 
pastor,  and  "one  Sunday,"  says  Mr.  K.,  "he 
preached  a  sermon  for  me.  He  called  those 
people  who  pray  in  public  Pharisees,  and 
said  they  open  their  windows  so  that  the 
people  may  hear  them  pray.  His  gun  was 
well  charged,  and  he  hurt  my  feelings  very 
much.  His  drunken,  card-playing,  gambling, 
and  dancing  hearers,  were  very  much  pleased 
with  the  discourse,  and  laughed,  looking  at 
me ;  and,  as  the  congregation  retired,  one  of 
this  class  hunched  me,  and  asked  if  I  knew 
for  whom  the  sermon  was  preached.  I  made 
no  reply,  but  went  home  and  wrote  the  min- 
ister a  letter,  in  which  I  informed  him  that 
I  could  get  no  sense  out  of  his  sermon ;  that 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.       85 

he  knew  the  Scriptures  better  than  I,  since 
I  was  only  an  ignorant  farmer;  and  that  he 
had,  doubtless,  read  where  Christ  commands 
us  to  let  our  light  shine,  and  not  hide  it 
under  a  bushel;  also,  the  passage  in  David, 
*Come  and  hear,  all  ye  that  fear  the  Lord, 
and  I  will  declare  what  he  hath  done  for 
my  soul.'  *  *  Finally,  I  gave  him  a  re- 
ceipt how  to  keep  his  members,  which  was 
to  this  effect, — that  he  should  take  away 
every  prop,  and  give  them  no  rest  until, 
like  Mary,  they  were  found  at  Jesus'  feet. 
When  he  read  the  letter,  he  first  made  an 
insulting  remark,  but,  upon  further  _  reflec- 
tion, sent  for  me  to  visit  him  immediately. 
I  went;  and,  as  I  entered  the  room,  he 
said — 

"JN'ever  in  your  life  undertake  to  write  to 
a  preacher  again." 

"Why  not?" 

"Because  when  you  only  say  a  thing,  and 
find  that  you  are  cornered,  then  you  can 
say,  I  did  not  mean  so,  and  you  can  con- 
strue  it  into  another  shape." 

"  What  I  have  written  I  have  written." 

This  conversation  took  place  while  I  was 
yet  standing.  He  then  said,  drawing  the 
letter  out  of  his  pocket, — 


86  HISTOBY    OF    THE 

"Well,  come  and  sit  down.  What  do 
you  understand  by  letting  your  light  shine?" 

"  To  let  my  light  shine,  is  to  show  fey 
my  life,  before  God  and  man,  that  I  am 
determined   to  lead  another  life." 

"Oh,  that   is  well  enough." 

"  But  I  believe  that  a  man  like  me,  who 
has  such  a  large  family,  should  speak  to, 
and  exhort  his  family,  and  pray  with  them." 

"That   is   well  enough." 

"  There  was  a  man  living  with  me  in  my 
house,  and  we  lived  in  peace  together,  but 
not  as  Christians.  He  is  now  moved,  and 
lives  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  hei'e,  and  I 
had  no  rest  until  I  went  to  him.  I  staid 
over  night;  sang  and  prayed  with  him  in 
the  evening  before  we  went  to  bed,  and 
also  in  the  morning.  The  man  broke  out 
in  moaning  and  tears,  crying,  '  God  have 
mercy  on  me,  a  sinner!' 

"That  was  all  well  enough,"  said  my  min- 
ister, as  he  rolled  up  the  letter  and  put 
it  in  his  pocket. 

"  Yes,'  said  I,  "  God  be  praised,  I  went 
on  my  way  rejoicing;  and  whosoever  will 
may  call   it  hypocrisy  and  pharisaism." 

"The  sermon  I  preached  last  Sunday," 
said  he,    "I   should  not  have  preached,  had 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.       87 

not  less  than  three  come  to  me  and  said, 
^  You  will  lose   Kumler.'  " 

Thus  ended  the  interview,  and  Mr.  K.'s 
connection  with  the  Gr.  R.  church.  The  young- 
farmer,  sitting  before  the  learned  divine,  ex- 
j^laining  to  him  what  is  meant  by  letting  the 
light  shine,  affords  a  fine  subject  for  the 
pencil  of  the  artist. 

Soon  Mr.  K.  felt  it  his  duty  to  exhort  at 
the  prayer-meetings ;  and,  in  1813,  he  was 
received  into  the  conference  at  Hagerstown, 
Md.  The  next  jenv  the  conference  was  held 
at  his  house.  In  1815  he  was  a  delegate  to 
the  first  general  conference  of  the  church.  In 
1816  he  became  an  itinerant,  and  traveled 
in  Virginia,  having  J.  Dehoff  for  a  col- 
league. His  circuit  required  370  miles  travel 
every  four  weeks.  In  1817  he  was  made 
presiding  elder.  This  was  to  him  a  year  of 
excessive  labor,  and  gi-eat  bodily  and  mental 
affliction,  all  of  which  Grod  so  sanctified  to 
his  good,  that  he  was  enabled  by  grace  to 
take  a  higher  stand,  spiritually,  than  ever 
before.  During  these  years  of  itinerant  la- 
bor in  the  East  he  won  many  souls  to 
Christ.  In  1819  he  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and 
settled  in  the  Miami  country.  In  1825  he 
was   elected    bishop,    and   was    re-elected    in 


88  HISTORY    OF    THE 

1829,  1833,  1837,  1841.  During  the  first 
eight  years  of  his  supcrintendency  he  crossed 
the  Alleghanies  (not  by  rail-road)  eighteen 
times.  Mr.  Spayth,  who  was  present  at  his 
first  election  to  the  siiperintendency,  relates 
that  "the  thought  had  never  entered  his 
mind,  and  no  suggestion  of  the  kind  had 
been  made  to  him  by  any  member  of  the 
general  conference.  "When  the  counting  of 
the  ballots  was  commenced,  and  his  name 
was  announced,  he  covered  his  face  with 
Ms  hands,  and  we2:>t;  and  when  the  result 
was  pronounced,  he  was  still  weeping  and 
trembling  with  emotion.  A  j^ause  in  the 
business  of  conference  ensued;  heads  were 
bowed,  faces  were  covered;  and  for  perhaps 
ten  minutes   no  one  presumed  to  speak." 

In  person,  bishop  Kumler  was  neat  and 
comely.  His  countenance  was  open  and  pleas- 
ant, denoting  great  cheerfulness  and  much 
thought.  His  mind  was  well  balanced.  Mild 
and  even  in  his  temper,  he  yet  possessed  suf- 
ficient firmness  to  render  him  prompt  and 
thorough-going  in  all  that  he  undertook.  His 
heart  seemed  to  be  a  fountain  of  cheerfulness, 
and  his  conversation  w^as  richly  spiced  with 
little  pleasantries.  His  liberality  is  not  easily 
excelled.    He  preached  with  ease  to  himself, 


TNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       89 

but  with  much  feeling,  interspersing  his  ser- 
mons with  incidents  that  would  touch  the 
heart  of  the  hearer,  almost  before  he  was 
aware  of  it.  "With  him,"  says  Mr.  Spayth, 
"preaching  was  an  agony  for  souls."  His 
manner  was  winning,  and  affectionate;  and 
although  he  preached  in  German,  those  who 
did  not  understand  his  words  would  fre- 
quently be  melted  to  tears  under  his  dis-^ 
courses. 

On  Sabbath  evening,  January  8th,  1854, 
after  a  brief  illness,  he  went  to  his  reward, 
aged  79,  having  served  the  Lord  as  a  min- 
ister, forty-one  years.  Such  was  another  of 
the  men,  raised  up  by  the  Lord,  to  supply 
the  vacancy  created  by  the  removal  of  Gueth- 
ing,  Boehm,  and  Otterbein. 

Daniel  Troyer,  who  deserves  a  high  place 
among  the  pioneers,  was  born  in  Maryland, 
in  1769.  When  yet  quite  a  young  man,  he 
heard  a  sermon  preached  by  Mr.  Newcomer, 
which  awakened  a  sufficient  religious  interest 
in  his  mind  to  induce  him  to  attend  a  sacra- 
mental meeting  at  the  Antietam.  Mr.  Otter- 
bein was  at  the  meeting,  and  preached  an 
impressive  sermon;  and  after  the  sacrament 
was  administered,  he  invited  all  who  desired 
the  prayers  of  God's  people,  to  come  forward 


90  HISTOT?,Y    OF    TJTR 

and  give  liim  their  hands.  Many  arose  and 
went  forward,  weeping,  and  among  the  num- 
ber was  young  Troyer.  He  left  the  meet- 
ing a  deeply  convicted  sinner;  and,  reaching 
home,  went  to  the  barn  to  pray.  But,  as  he 
kneeled  down,  and  began  to  pray,  he  imagined 
that  he  heard  the  roof  of  the  barn  giving  way, 
and  that  it  was  just  ready  to  fall  in  and  crush 
him.  Leaving  the  barn  in  terror,  he  hastened 
to  the  grove,  where  he  fell  upon  his  knees, 
at  the  root  of  a  great  tree,  and  wrestled  in 
prayer  until  he  obtained  the  blessing.  He 
soon  began  to  call  sinners  to  re^^entance, 
and  as  early  as  1806,  emigrated  to  Ohio, 
and  settled  in  the  Miami  Valley.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Miami  conference,  at  its  or- 
ganization in  1810,  and,  in  1812,  willingly 
gave  himself  up  to  travel  as  an  itinerant 
preacher.  The  same  year  he  was  appointed 
by  the  Miami  conference  as  a  messenger 
to  the  Methodist  conference,  which  met  in 
Chilicotlie.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first 
general  conference,  where  he  made  a  favor- 
able impression  upon  the  minds  of  his  breth- 
ren. A  wise  and  prudent  man,  and  a  faith- 
ful Christian,  his  influence  .has  always  been 
wholesome.  "As  a  preacher,"  writes  Mr.  G. 
Bonebrake,   he   "was,  in  his  earlier  years,  a 


UNITED    BRETHKim    IN    CHRIST.       91 

man  of  power.  He  liad  a  very  strong  voice, 
and  great  zeal ;  and  at  large  meetings,  when  it 
became  necessary  to  divide  the  congregation, 
the  people  would  generally  ask,  'Where  will 
Bro.  Troyer  preach?'  And  on  such  occasions 
he  always  had  his  full  share  of  the  hearers." 
Fathers  Troyer  and  Spayth  are  the  only  sur- 
viving members  of  the  first  general  conference. 
Henry  Evinger  was  one  of  the  first  itin- 
erant preachers  in  Ohio;  was  a  member  of 
the  Miami  conference  at  its  organization; 
and,  in  1812,  became  an  itinerant.  That 
year  he  traveled  Twin  creek  circuit,  Thomas 
Winter  being  his  colleague.  They  reported, 
at  the  conference  in  1813,  forty-seven  ap- 
pointments, and  Mr.  Evinger's  salary  was 
^53  51J.  During  the  year  1814,  in  connec- 
tion with  Mr.  Winter,  he  compiled  a  Ger- 
man hymn-book,  which  was  laid  before  the 
Miami  conference;  but  action  in  regard  to 
its  publication  was  deferred  until  after  the 
general  conference,  then  near  at  hand,  should 
meet.  As  Mr.  Winter  withdrew  from  the 
church  before  the  book  was  printed,  the 
task  of  completing  it  devolved  wholly  upon 
Mr.  Evinger.  It  was  published  in  1815. 
Mr.  E.  was  a  member  of  the  third  gen- 
eral conference.     He  died  in  Illinois. 


92  HISTORY    OF    THLE 

Dewalt  Mechlin  was  also  a  memLer  of 
the  first  annual  conference  in  Ohio.  He 
was  not 'an  itinerant  preacher, — not  a  gteat 
preacher,  but  a  remarkably  zealous  man; 
and  for  many  years  his  house  was  a  rallying 
point  for  the  church. 

"He  stood  as  a  faithful  minister  of  the 
church  for  many  years.  His  peculiar  gift 
was  exhortation — scarcely  ever  did  he  take  a 
text.  We  have  often  heard  him  say  that  if 
he  had  any  gift  it  was  in  exhortation.  It 
is  due  to  the  memory  of  this  good  man  to 
say  that  he  was,  under  God,  a  great  blessing 
to  the  church — having  labored  and  traveled 
much,  without  any  pecuniary  reward  what- 
ever. 

"Father  Mechlin  departed  this  life  July 
30th,  1838,  at  the  going  down  of  the  sun. 
He  had  been  assisting  his  children,  through 
the  course  of  the  day,  in  making  hay.  He 
ate  breakfast,  dinner,  and  supper,  in  usual 
health.  After  suj^per  he  went  to  his  meado^v, 
and  while  in  the  act  of  raking  he  fell  as  the 
mown  grass  before  the  scythe,  and  imme- 
diately expired."*  He  was  a  member  of  the 
general  conference  of  1825. 

John  Smaltz  entered  the  ministry  in  1812, 

*  W.  Hanby,  History  U.  B.  in  Christ,  p.  258. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      93 

and,  for  a  period  of  thirty-five  years,  labored 
faithfully  in  winning  souls.  He  preached  in 
the  German  language  only.  His  zeal  abated 
not  in  the  least  as  old  age  crept  upon 
him;  and  his  sermons  and  exhortations,  after 
he  had  reached  his  three-score  years,  were 
full  of  unction  and  power.  His  life  was  an 
argument  for  Christianity,  which  no  skepti- 
cism could  gainsa}^  He,  like  many  of  the 
early  German  ministers,  imitated  Abraham's 
hospitality.  On  the  1st  of  July,  1847,  and 
in  the  71st  year  of  his  age,  he  died  at  his 
residence  in  Fairfield  Co.,  0. 

L.  Cramer  deserves  a  place  among  the 
German  fathers  who  laid  the  foundations  of 
the  church  in  Ohio.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  first  conference  in  the  west;  also  of  the 
general  conference  of  1821.  "He  labored 
thirty-five  years  in  the  ministry,  as  oj^por- 
tunity  served.  Like  many  of  the  German 
fathers,  he  labored  and  traveled  much,  with- 
out pecuniary  reward  for  his  services.  The 
Lord  blessed  him  with  a  goodly  share  of 
worldly  goods,  and  he  proved  himself  a  faith- 
ful steward.  JN'otwithstanding  he  labored  free 
of  charge,  he  was  always  ready  with  his 
means,  to  assist  the  poor  and  needy.  His 
house    always  proved  a   home  to   the  way- 


94  HISTORY    OP    THE 

worn   pilgrim."*     He  died    September   17th, 

1847. 

Associated  with  these,  and  other  pioneer 
ministers,  were  pioneer  laymen, — brethren 
and  sisters, — who  were  worthy  of  such  lead- 
ers. It  is  not  possible  to  speak  of  them 
particularly;  but,  in  considering  the  rise  and 
progress  of  the  church,  the  fact  must  not 
be  overlooked,  that  its  success,  under  God, 
after  all  that  may  be  said  of  the  ministers, 
was  largely  owing  to  the  pious,  zealous,  firm, 
and  large-hearted  laymen,  who  opened  their 
houses  and  barns  for  preaching,  spread  their 
tables  for  the  suj^tport  of  large  meetings,  and 
trained  up  children  who  love  the  Lord,  and 
the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  church. 

*  W.  Hanby,  History  United  Brethren  Church. 


UNITED    BEETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.       95 


CHAPTEE  V. 

CONFERENCE  OF  1818 — THE  MORNING  BREAK- 
ING— RE-INFORCEMENTS  OF  THE  MINISTRY — - 
BROWN,    RUSSEL,    HUBER,    DEHOFF. 

In  the  year  1789  the  first  regular  confer- 
ence was  held;  twenty  years  afterward  the 
Miami  was  organized,  and  in  1818  the  Mus- 
kingum held  its  first  annual  session.  Let  us 
glance  at  the  annual  conferences  of  1818. 

The  old  conference  was  attended  by  twen- 
ty-nine ministers.  The  subject  of  the  great- 
est interest  which  came  before  it,  related  to 
the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  in  the  west. 
A  letter  from  the  west,  spreading  before  the 
conference  the  vast  field  inviting  evangelical 
labor,  and  the  sacrifices  and  poverty  of  the 
laborers,  stirred  the  missionary  fire  in  the 
hearts  of  the  brethren;  and  they  resolved  to 
make  public  efforts  to  raise  means  to  aid 
the  cause  in  Ohio  and  Indiana.  This  mis- 
sionary movement  was  not  without  valuable 
results.  From  the  year  1818  onward,  con- 
tributions flowed  from  the  east  to  the  west; 


96  HISTORYOFTHE 

not  in  large  sums,  it  is  true,  neverthelcgs 
tli6y  kept  many  an  efficient  laborer  from 
abandoning  the  field. 

The  second  annual  conference  of  the  year, 
was  the  Muskingum,  set  oif  from  the  old 
conference  the  year  before.  Its  territory  in- 
cluded all  that  part  of  Ohio  which  lies  east 
and  north  of  the  Muskingum  river,  and  a 
small  portion  of  western  Pennsylvania,  includ- 
ing the  counties  of  Westmoreland  and  Wash- 
ington. At  the  organization  of  the  conference 
only  six  ministers  residing  within  this  exten- 
sive territory  were  present.  Their  names 
follow:  Abraham  Forney,  Matthias  Bortsfield, 
Joseph  Gundy,  Christian  Knagi,  Jacob  Win- 
ter, and  John  Crum.  These  six  ministers, 
together  "with  the  two  bishops,  and  J.  Gr. 
Pfrimmer,  J.  A.  Lehman,  and  J.  Antrim,  as 
visitors,  met  at  Joseph  JNTaftzgar's,  in  Har- 
rison Co.,  0.,  June  1st,  1818,  to  organize  the 

MUSKIXGUM   CONFEEEXCE. 

The  w^ek  prior  to  the  conference  a  camp- 
meeting  was  held  on  Mr.  Bortsfield's  land, 
not  far  from  Mr.  J^aftzgar's,  in  a  notice  of 
which  bishop  Newcomer  says: 

"I  was  astonished  to  see  so  many  people, 
and  could  not  conceive  where,  in  this  new 
country,  they  could  come  from.      The  grace 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       97 

of  Grod  wrought  powerfully  among  the  peo- 
ple." The  reader  has  noticed,  no  doubt,  that 
the  United  Brethren  fathers  usually  went  in- 
to the  conference  room  fresh  from  the  labors 
and  the  joys  of  a  great  meeting. 

At  the  opening  of  the  conference,  bishop 
Newcomer  spoke  of  the  weighty  responsi- 
bility of  the  ministerial  office,  of  the  fall  and 
depravity  of  man,  and  of  the  necessity  of 
pardon,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  pardon. 
"Brotherly  love,"  says  the  minutes,  "united 
the  hearts  of  the  little  band,"  and  they  "re- 
solved  to  build  the  kingdom  of  Christ  under  the 
blessing  of  the  Lordr  What  better  or  more 
appropriate  resolution  could  have  been  adopts 
ed  by  a  new  conference?  Not  to  build  up 
a  church,  merely;  to  obtain  a  name  and  a 
place  in  the  earth  did  thy  resolve;  but  to 
"build  the  kingdom  of  Christ." 

It  is  a  sublime  spectacle  to  behold  those 
six  German  ministers,  without  patronage, 
with  little  education,  and  depending  almost 
wholly  on  the  products  of  their  little  farms 
in  the  woods  for  a  subsistence,  "resolving 
to  build  the  kingdom  of  Christ."  And  they 
did  build,  and  God  owned  their  work! 

The  third  and  remaining  conference  of  the 
year,  the  Miami,  convened  at  Frey's,  in  War- 
YoL.  II.— 7. 


98  HISTORY    OF    THE 

ren  Co.,  June  16th..  Twenty-one  preachers, 
including  the  two  bishops,  were  in  attend- 
ance. The  names  of  absent  members  do  not 
appear  in  the  minutes.  During  the  confer- 
ence, A.  Shingledecker,  John  McGary,  and 
one  or  two  other  English  preachers,  together 
with  several  German  preachers  and  exhort- 
ers,  were  received  on  trial.  J.  Antrim,  who, 
for  many  years,  was  a  remarkably  successful 
evangelist,  principally  in  English  communi- 
ties, also  received  a  license  to  exhort.  Up 
to  this  time  the  itinerancy  in  this  conference 
had  been  in  a  very  imperfect  condition.  The 
year  preceding,  only  McN^amar,  Lehman,  and 
Wheeler,  had  traveled,  and  the  sum  total 
which  each  received  on  his  field  of  labor, 
foots  up  thus:  McN'amar,  |5G  00;  Lehman, 
138  84;  Wheeler,  |30  00.  To  these  sums 
were  added,  as  a  contribution  from  the  east, 
146  60. 

It  may  be  well  to  apprise  the  reader  that 
we  are  approaching  the  dawn  of  a  brighter 
DAY,  in  the  history  of  the  United  Brethren 
church.  True,  there  never  was  a  year,  from 
the  conversion  of  Mr.  Ottetbein,  to  1820, 
when  the  labors  of  the  German  fathers  were 
not  crowned  with  the  conversion  of  numer- 
ous souls;   yet,  from  causes  already  noticed, 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.       99 

not  only  was  no  progress  made  in  numbers 
from  1810  to  1820,  but,  undoubtedly,  there 
wa-s  a  retrocession.  Some  of  these  adverse 
causes  began  to  exert  a  less  potent  influence 
after  the  first  general  conference;  but  it  was 
not  until  about  the  year  1820,  or  1821,  that 
it  became  evident  that  the  church  was  rising- 
above  them  all,  and,  under  the  smiles  of 
heaven,  entering  again  upon  a  career  of  pros- 
perity. 

It  has  already  been  noticed  that  one  of  the 
most  pressing  wants  of  the  church  during 
this  period,  was  an  efficient  itinerant  minis- 
try,— and,  in  the  west  especially,  an  English- 
speaking  itinerant  ministry.  Between  1816 
a»nd  1822,  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  sent  forth 
a  class  of  laborers  who,  under  the  blessing 
of  heaven,  and  in  conjunction  wdth  others 
already  in  the  work,  not  only  succeeded  in 
arresting  the  retrograde  movement,  but  in 
adding  largely  to  the  numbers  and  strength 
of  the  church.  To  a  few  of  these  recruits, 
the  reader  will  be  introduced  in  this  and 
in   the   succeeding  chapter. 

One  hundred  years  ago,  Michael  Brown 
emigrated  from  Alsace,  France,  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  settled  in  the  beautiful  valley  of 
the    Tulpehocken,   and,    with    his  wife,    was 


100  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

among  the  first  fruits  of  the  revival  move- 
ment, under  the  joint  labors  of  Otterbein  and 
Boehm.  In  1796,  a  grandson  of  this  G-er- 
man  immigrant  was  born  in  Cumberland  Co., 
Pa.,  in  a  place  remote  from  any  evangelical 
church.  In  his  seventh  year,  this  little  boy 
stood  by  the  bedside  of  his  dying  grand- 
father. The  aged  patriarch,  surrounded  by 
his  children  and  grandchildren,  talked  and 
exhorted  till  the  place  became  as  the  very 
gate  of  heaven;  and  as  the  old  man  died,  his 
hand  rested  upon  the  head  of  the  weeping 
grandchild  by  his  side;  and  from  that  hour 
that  child's  heart  was  drawn  toward  God 
and  heaven.  Often,  on  Sunday  mornings,  lie 
would  take  his  Bible,  retire  to  some  solitary 
spot  in  the  hills,  and  spend  hours  in  reading; 
and  while  thus  employed,  his  face  would  be 
wet  with  tears. 

There  were  ministers  and  church  members 
in  the  neighborhood  where  this  boy's  parents 
resided,  but  they  were  of  the  kind  who  drank 
liquor,  led  careless  lives,  and  knew  little 
or  nothing  of  experimental  religion.  Occa- 
sionally, however,  George  Benedum  and  Abra- 
ham Mayer  visited  the  Brown  family;  and 
those  visits  were  as  the  visits  of  angels,  not 
only  to  the  parents,  but  to  the  children;  and 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     101 

especially  to  the  boy  whose  heart  had  seem- 
ed to  go  up  to  heaven  with  the  ascending 
spirit  of  his  grandfather.  During  the  confer- 
ence year,  which  included  portions  of  1811  and 
1812,  the  devoted  evangelist,  John  Crider, 
frequently  visited  the  family,'  and  while  hold- 
ing a  class-meeting  at  Mr,  B.'s  house,  he  went 
to  the  youth,  already  noticed,  and  said: 

"William,"  for  that  was  his  name,  "do  you 
love  the  Savior  and  pray  to  him?" 

"I  often  try,"   he   replied,    "but   God  will 
not  hear  me." 

From  that  time  young  William  was  knoAvn, 
publicly,  as  a  seeker  of  religion;  and  in  May 
1812,  at  a  big  meeting  at  Abraham  Mayer's 
barn,  near  Carlisle,  he  was  happily  convert- 
ed. "Now  heaven,"  to  use  his  own  language, 
"shone  all  around  me,  and  right  through  my 
heart.  I  was  happy,  day  and  night,  for 
months.  Often,  after  all  had  retired  at  night 
would  I  walk  out,  look  up  into  the  starry 
heavens,  and  think  of  Jesus  and  heaven,  un- 
til, before  I  was  aware  of  it,  I  would  be 
running,  with  outstretched  arms,  praying  to 
Jesus  to  give  me  wings  to  fly  home  to 
glory." 

After  a  few  years  came  manhood,  the  call 
to  preach;  and,  in  1816,  his  first  license  was 


102  HISTORY    OF    THE 

granted  at  a  conference  held  at  Daniel  Long's, 
Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.  Such  was  the  early 
history  of  William  Brown,  one  of  the  most 
effective  of  the  early  itinerants  in  the  United 
Brethren  church.  In  1816  he  assisted  other 
itinerant  ministers  on  their  fields.  In  1817 
he  was  placed  on  Hagerstown  circuit.  In  1818 
-19  he  traveled  Virginia  circuit,  which  includ- 
ed about  thirty  a2:)pointments  and  required 
300  miles  trg,vel  every  four  weeks.  During 
these  two  years  he  had  great  success,  and  the 
cnu^e  under  his  labors,  was  gloriously  ad- 
vanced. He  was  a  member  of  the  general 
conference  in  1821,  and  in  1833  was  elected 
bishop,  which  office  he  filled  acceptably  for 
a  period  of  four  years. 

John  Russel,*  who  entered  the  ministry 
in  1818,  was  born  on  Pipe  creek,  Md,,  March 
18th,  1799.  His  ancestors  were  German. 
"His  grandfather  came  to  this  country  in 
1756,  and  was  converted  soon  after  his  arrival, 
probably  through  the  instrumentality  of  the 
JNloravians;  and,  in  a  letter  to  a  brother 
in  Europe,  he  wrote:  'Here  I  have  learned 
to  pray  for  the  pardon  of  my  sins,  and  for 
a   pure  heart,   and   a  right   spirit.     Oh,   how 

*  This  sketch  is  partly  abridgtd  from  an  article  by  Kev.  J.  Dick- 
foil,  in  Unity  Magazine,  Vol.  Ill 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     103 

1  have  longed  for  Jesus  to  redeem  me  from 
my  trouble,  which  God  has  granted  unto  me 
by  inward  experience.'  His  parents  were 
pious.  In  his  younger  years  he  was  full  of 
his  pranks,  fond  of  fun,  indulged  in  social 
gatherings,  and  soon  became  a  fun-maker. 
The  buo^^ancy  of  his  youthful  propensities 
for  a  while  broke  through  all  restraint,  till 
one  evening,  returning  from  a  youthful  gath- 
ering, to  which  he  had  gone  contrary  to 
the  wishes  of  his  parents,  his  mind  was  so 
seized  with  remorse  that  he  hastened  home, 
rushed  into  his  mother's  room,  confessed  his 
errors,  and  made  promise  of  amendment. 
His  determination  was  now  formed,  and  he 
continued  pressing  his  suit  at  the  court  of 
heaven,  till  the  work  was  accomplished.  He 
became  a  new  man  in  Christ  Jesus."  "I 
would  pray  as  well  as  I  knew  how,"  said 
he,  relating  his  experience.  "I  would  some- 
times use  prayer-books,  until  at  length,  under 
an  apple  tree,  my  troubled  spirit  was  com- 
forted. Gladness  so  filled  my  soul  that  I 
ran  to  my  mother,  telling  her  what  I  had 
obtained.  *  *  I  experienced  such  a  power 
I  thought  I  must  tell  every  body  how  good 
I  felt." 
The  conversion   of   young    Russel   led  to 


104  HISTORY    OF    THE 

happy  results  in  the  neighborhood.  Prayer- 
meetings  were  started,  at  which  he  would 
read  the  Scriptures,  and  exhort;  and  many 
other  persons,  through  these  means,  were  con- 
verted. As  a  means  of  livelihood,  he  had 
served  an  apprenticeship  to  blacksmithing.* 
His  master  leaving  the  neighborhood,  Mr. 
R.'s  father  bought  him  a  set  of  tools,  and  an 
old  colored  man  to  blow  and  strike,  and  put 
him  to  work.  It  soon  became  evident  that 
God  intended  him  for  the  ministry.  His  ex- 
hortations came  with  power;  sinners  quailed 
under  the  fervor  of  his  appeals,  and  his  la- 
bors in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord  were  far 
more  successful  than  those  of  the  smith-shop. 
*  *  *  The  colored  man  was  set  free  (not 
sold),  the  shop  was  abandoned,  and  Mr. 
Russel,  then  in  his  nineteenth  year,  was  re- 
ceived into  conference.  His  first  license 
was  granted  at  Christian  Hershey's,  in  1818; 
and  he  was  taken  by  bishop  Newcomer  to 
Yirginia,  and  placed  on  a  circuit.  "We 
had,"  he  writes,  "glorious  times.  Bless  Grod, 
his  hand  bore  me  through."  His  next  circuit 
was  located  principally  in  Pennsylvania.     Its 

*  It  is  a  fact,  worth  mentioning  perhaps,  that  all  the  present  super- 
intendents of  the  United  Brethren  church,  learned  trades  in  their 
youth.  Glossbrenner  was  a  silversmith,  Edwards  a  carder  and  fuller^ 
Davis  a  machinist,  and  Russel  a  blacksmith. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     105 

boundaries  are  described  as  follows:  "Start- 
ing at  Hagerstown,  Md.,  thence  to  Greencas- 
tle,  Cliambersburg,  Carlisle,  Shiremanstown, 
Wormleysburg,  up  the  Conodoguinetj  crossing 
the  mountain  at  Sterret's  Gap,  into  Sher- 
man's valley,  out  to  Finn's  ridge,  Buffalo  val- 
ley, Path  valley,  Turkey  valley,  Amberson's 
valley,  and  back  to  Hagerstown,  what  is 
now  embraced  in  nine  circuits  and  stations 
in  Pennsylvania  conference,  a  part  of  the 
Alleghany  conference,  and  a  small  j)ortion 
of  Virginia  conference."  It  may  be  added, 
that  during  his  labors  on  this  circuit,  his 
horse  broke  down,  and  rather  than  give  up 
the  work,  he  traveled  on  foot,  being  obliged 
sometimes  to  travel  all  night,  and  wade  the 
streams,  in  order  to  reach  his  appointments. 
Moved  by  the  pressing  calls  from  the  west 
for  ministerial  help,  in  May  1819  Mr.  Rus- 
sel  set  out  for  Ohio.  He  was  received  into 
the  Miami  conference  the  same  year,  and 
placed  upon  Lancaster  circuit;  and,  for  a 
period  of  eighteen  years,  he  was  intimately 
associated  with  the  cause  in  the  west.  In 
1829  he  was  sent  as  a  delegate  to  the  gen- 
eral conference.  In  1830  he  was  elected  pre- 
siding elder,  which  office  he  filled  for  several 
years.     When  the  Sandusky  conference  was 


106  HISTORY    OF    THE 

organized,  in  1834,  he  was  elected  its  first 
presiding  elder.  His  labors  in  that  confer- 
ence, however,  were  brief.  He  was  among 
the  first  to  perceive  the  necessity  of  the  press, 
as  an  adjunct  to  the  pulpit;  and  in  1834, 
in  conjunction  with  Jonathan  and  Greorge 
Dresback,  he  purchased  a  press  to  start  the 
enterprise.  So  fully  was  he  committed  to 
the  project,  that  his  property  was  sold,  and 
the  entire  proceeds  invested  in  the  infant 
establishment. 

In  the  general  conferences  of  1833,  1841, 
and  1845,  he  was  an  influential  delegate; 
and  at  the  last  named  conference  he  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  bishop.  He  was  re- 
elected to  the  office  in  1857. 

The  accession  of  Mr.  Russel  to  the  itiner- 
ant ministry  of  the  United  Brethren  church, 
in  1818,  was  of  great  importance.  It  was 
during  the  period  of  transition  from  the  Grer- 
man  to  the  English;  and  Mr.  Russel,  while 
speaking  the  German  "with  a  correctness  and 
fluency  seldom  equaled,"  was  always  listened 
to  with  delight  when  he  preached  in  English. 
And,  what  is  of  greater  importance,  he  was 
an  uncompromising  opponent  of  pride,  intem- 
perance, secrecy,  and  slavery;  and  the  in- 
fluence he  exerted  upon  the  polity  and  prog- 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     107 

ress  of  the  church,  during  the  years  which 
elapsed  between  1820,  and  1845,  can  scarcely 
be  duly  estimated  now.* 

Samuel  Huber  was  born  January  31st, 
1782.  His  parents  were  members  of  the 
Mennonite  society;  and  at  their  house  Otter- 
bein,  Boehm,  Guething,  and  others  of  the 
fathers,  preached.  Under  the  preaching  of 
Jos.  Hoffman,  in  the  fourteenth  year  of  his 
age,  Mr.  Huber  was  first  convicted  of  sin, 
but  he  was  not  converted  until  1813.  He 
was  then  settled  in  life,  and  residing  in  a  com- 
munity where  -vdtal  religion  was  little  known. 
Soon  after  his  conversion,  as  he  was  sitting  on 
his  porch  on  Sabbath  morning,  observing  the 
young  people  of  the  neighborhood  engaged  in 
sinful  amusements,  he  said  to  his  wife: 

"Do  you  think  that  God  is  satisfied  w^ith 
us  sitting  here,  doing  nothing  for  his  cause, 
while  so  many  are  running  to  ruin  in  the 
neighborhood  through  their  wickedness?"  She 
answered, 

"What  will  we  do?  We  can  not  prevent 
them  doing  so."     He  said, 

*  Mr.  Dickson  relates  the  following :  "  A  custom  somewhat  char- 
acteristic of  the  man,  and  which  afterward  contributed  much  toward 
molding  the  sentiment  of  the  church  on  secret  orders,  was,  at  their 
camp-meetings  and  other  great  meetings,  to  publicly  invite  all  min- 
isters into  the  stand,  except  those  connected  with  the  Freemasons." 


108  HISTORY    OF    THE 

"If  God  spares  rae  until  to-morrow  morn- 
ing I  intend  to  go  to  Chambersburg,  and  see 
if  I  can  get  a  converted  man  to  come  here 
to  hold  meetings,  and  talk  to  the  people.  I 
don't  want  an  unconverted  one.  We  have 
too  many  of  that  kind  of  religionists  in  the 
neighborhood  already.  We  want  a  man  who 
has  been  converted,  and  enjoys  true  religion, 
and  can  preach  from  his  own  experience." 

Jacob  Braiser,  an  elder  in  the  German 
Reformed  church,  residing  in  Chambersburg, 
was  visited,  and  induced  to  open  meetings  at 
Mr.  H.'s  house.  Soon  the  work  of  reforma- 
tion was  commenced,  and  Mr.  H.  began  to 
exhort.  In  1816  he  was  received  into  the 
conference,  and  in  1819  was  ordained,  and 
elected  presiding  elder. 

A  few  extracts  from  his  Autobiography, 
will  throw  some  light  upon  the  manner  in 
which  the  work  of  evangelization  was  carried 
forward,  during  the  early  period  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  church,  as  well  as  illustrate  the 
character  of  Mr.  H.  as  a  preacher. 

"In  1816  a  request  was  made  to  confer- 
ence to  send  a  i:)reacher  to  Tuckaho  Val- 
ley, Pa.  The  lot  fell  upon  brother  John 
Bear  and  myself.  Passing  through  Hunt- 
ingdon county,  to  Sinking  Valley,  we  arrived 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     109 

in  Tuckaho  Valley,  and  tarried  to  preach 
at  brother  Buttenberger's.  These  strange 
preachers  were  regarded  as  a  phenomenon. 
Some  people  looked  at  us  with  terrified 
glances,  afraid  to  come  into  the  house,  but 
stood  gaping  in  at  the  windows.  After  eye- 
ing us  for  some  time,  it  was  discovered  that 
we  looked  just  like  other  men.  We  invited 
them  into  the  house.  After  some  hesitation 
they  began  to  enter.  The  house  became 
'crowded.  Brother  Bear  preached,  after  which 
I  followed  with  exhortation.  The  word  took 
effect.  Some  were  deeply  wounded.  One 
woman,  a  Lutheran  preacher's  wife,  got  un- 
der conviction,  and  prayed  earnestly. 

"JSText  day  we  went  to  Warrior's  Mark, 
and  preached  there.  Returning  home,  we 
preached  at  the  several  appointments  we  had 
made  on  our  outward  route.  These  appointr 
ments  extended  eighty-five  miles  from  where 
we  started  to  the  Alleghany  Mountains. 
For  about  two  years'  time,  the  Lord  wrought 
such  works  among-  the  people,  that  preach- 
ing places  were  opened  in  such  numbers,  in 
these  parts,  that  we  could  not  fill  them.  A 
circuit  was  then  formed  for   two  preachers. 

"  During  these  times  a  new  preaching 
place  was  opened    at    Mr.  Conrad's,   at  the 


110  HISTORY    OF    THE 

iron  works,  near  Warrior's  Mark.  Brother 
David  Bear,  Henry  Troub,  and  myself,  on 
our  way  to  the  Furnace,  were  informed  that 
an  appointment  had  been  made  for  us  there. 
When  we  arrived  at  the  place,  there  was 
a  wedding  party  in  waiting.  Brother  Troub 
solemnized  the  marriage.  There  was  meet- 
ing in  the  evening.  I  preached.  The  Holy 
Spirit  wrought  powerfully.  Seven  of  the 
wedding  party  fell  as  men  slain  in  battle, 
crying  out  for  mercy,  and  were  married  to 
the  Lamb  of  God.  Afterward  the  manager 
of  the  iron  works  requested  brother  Troub 
to  preach  regularly  in  that  place,  a  meeting- 
house having  been  erected  there.  The  work 
of  God  continued  to  progress  through  the 
valley,  and  extended  to  the  environs  of 
Bellefonte.  This  was  the  commencement  of 
the  United  Brethren  preaching  in  that  re- 
gion of  country. 

"Next  morning  brother  Bear  and  myself 
started  homeward,  through  Aughwick  Val- 
ley, where  we  had  left  an  appointment 
on  our  way  out.  At  this  place  there 
lived  a  Mr.  H.  Kimberlin.  The  meeting 
was  held  at  brother  Aue's  house.  Kim- 
berlin was  a  very  wicked  man  indeed.  He 
came    to     our     meeting;     and,    during    its 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.     Ill 

continuance,  became  awakened  to  a  sense 
of  his  lost  state.  He  requested  us  to  come 
to  his  house  and  baptize  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren. We  went.  I  told  them  'that  baptism 
alone  would  not  save  their  souls,  but  that 
they  must  seek  for  the  spiritual  baptism,  by 
getting  their  souls  converted.'  He  promised 
that,  if  I  would  baptize  them,  this  should 
be  a  beginning  with  him,  and  ha  would 
seek  the  Lord  and  lead  a  new  life.  I  com- 
plied with  his  request.  I  sang  and  prayed 
with  them,  and  left  for  home. 

"About  one  year  after  this,  brother  Cri- 
der,  my  colleague,  and  myself,  went  to  the 
same  place  to  preach.  In  an  experience 
meeting,  Kimberlin  and  his  wife  related  their 
experience,  stating  what  Grod  had  done  for 
them  by  converting  their  souls.  He  said 
that  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty,  as  he  had 
been  so  great  a  sinner,  and  Grod  had  been 
so  merciful  to  him,  to  spend  his  future  life 
in  his  Master's  cause  in  a  public  way.  He 
became  a  zealous  and  useful  preacher  of  the 
Gospel. 

"The  next  appointment  we  had  was  filled 
by  brother  John  Crider,  in  brother  Rum- 
berger's  barn.  Now,  brother  Rumberger  was 
one    of    those    men  who    did    not   want    to 


112  HISTORY    OF    THE 

work  without  being  paid,  although  he  would 
sometimes  labor  on  trust.  Not  knowing 
whether  he  would  be  remunerated  or  not, 
having  somehow  or  other  understood  that 
there  is  a  promise  on  record,  that  'whoso- 
ever receiveth  a  prophet,  in  the  name  of  a 
prophet,  shall  receive  a  prophet's  reward,' 
and  being  somewhat  religiously  inclined,  he 
took  it  into  his  head  to  try  the  Lord,  and 
see  whether  his  promises  were  true  or  not. 
So  he  went  to  work  and  fitted  up  his  barn 
in  good  style  for  the  use  of  these  new 
prophets,  which  cost  him  considerable  labor 
and  expense.  Accordingly,  the  meeting  was 
held  in  the  barn,  and  at  this  meeting- 
brother  Rumberger,  his  wife,  son,  and  daugh- 
ter, obtained  religion,  and  went  on  their 
way  rejoicing,  being  fully  satisfied  that  God 
had  more  than  amply  rewarded  him  for 
the  cost  and  labor  of  preparing  the  barn 
for  holding  meeting,  and  receiving  God's 
prophets. 

"I  might  go  on  to  relate  a  great  many 
interesting  circumstances  which  took  place 
at  the  commencement  of  United  Brethren 
preaching  in  the  aforesaid  valleys;  but  the 
cases  mentioned  may  suffice  as  specimens  of 
the  whole." 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     113 

"  A  few  years  before  there  were  any  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ  residing  in  Chambersburg,  Frank- 
lin county.  Pa.,  brothers  John  Crider,  Jacob 
Wingert,  and  myself,  frequently  preached 
in  that  place.  At  first  we  preached  in 
brother  Braiser's  house,  to  more  hearers 
than  the  house  could  hold,  many  listening 
outside,  for  want  of  room  within.  Some  time 
after  this,  in  the  year  1818  or  1819,  father 
John  Oaks,  a  United  brother,  had  settled 
with  his  family  in  Chambersburg,  and 
wanted  preaching  in  his  house.  I  then 
preached  alternately  there  and  at  Braiser's. 
In  a  short  time  these  houses  could  not  con- 
tain the  people  who  would  come  out  to  hear 
the  preaching.  At  one  of  these  meetings 
held  in  father  Oaks'  house,  the  Spirit  of 
Grod  came  upon  the  people  like  the  'rush- 
ing of  a  mighty  wind.'  Many  of  them  felt 
the  power  of  God  in  a  manner  they  had 
not  experienced  before.  There  was  one  gen- 
eral move  among  them  at  that  time,  some 
shouting,  leaping,  and  praising  God  for  his 
mercy,  in  filling  their  hearts  with  his  love, 
joy,  and  peace.  I  felt  heaven  upon  earth 
within  me.  Upon  the  whole,  we  had  a  glo- 
rious meeting.  Before  dismissing  the  people, 
YoL.  II.— 8. 


114  HISTORY    OF    THE 

I  stated  that,  if  any  persons  present  wish- 
ed to  unite  together  as  one  body,  to  serve 
the  Lord,  an  opportunity  would  be  affiorded 
them  to  do  so.  Twenty-six  persons  came  for- 
ward and  attached  themselves  to  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  at  that 
time.  This  was  the  origin  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Chambersburg." 

Mr.  Huber  labored,  as  a  presiding  elder, 
with  great  zeal  and  success,  for  a  number 
of  years,  since  which  time  he  has  served 
the  cause  in  the  capacity  of  a  local  preacher. 
A  blunt,  earnest,  hospitable,  and  independ- 
ent Christian,  he  did  much,  during  the  first 
half  of  the  century,  to  extend  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  name  of  Jacob  Dehoff  appears  on 
the  minutes  of  the  old  conference  as  early 
as  1809 ;  and  as  early  as  1815,  when  the 
whole  itinerant  force  of  the  church  east  of 
the  mountains  consisted  of  J.  Snyder,  H.  Gr. 
Spayth,  I.  Niswander,  PI.  Kumler,  sen.,  and 
Jos.  Hoffman,  he  commenced  to  travel.  Of 
his  personal  history  we  have  been  able  to 
obtain  the  following  interesting  facts:  "Dur- 
ing the  time  that  Dr.  Senseny  resided  in 
York,  Pa.,  a  Mr.  Dehoff  had  a  son,  then 
about  seventeen  years  of  age,  who  was  much 


UNITED    BRETHREX    IN    CUEIST.     115 

afflicted.  jS'ot  knowing  the  nature  of  his 
complaint,  he  sent  him  to  Dr.  S.,  for  med- 
ical advice  and  treatment.  The  good  Dr., 
after  an  examination  of  his  case,  gave  it  as 
his  opinion  that  he  had  consumption  of  the 
lungs,  and  that  he  could  not  cure  him.  He 
advised  him  to  pray  to  God,  and  prepare 
for  the  next  world,  adding,  that  if  the  Lord 
converted  his  soul,  it  might  he  possible  that 
he  would  also  heal  his  body.  On  the  lad's 
return,  he  told  his  father  what  the  Dr.  had 
said  to  him,  and  betook  himself  to  prayer. 
This  gave  much  offense  to  the  father.  The 
idea  that  his  son  might  be  healed  through 
prayer  was  foreign  to  his  views.  He  com- 
manded him  to  cease  praying,  and  declared 
that,  if  he  did  not,  he  should  leave  his 
house,  and  seek  a  home  elsewhere.  The  af- 
flicted boy,  rather  than  give  up  seeking  the 
Lord,  left  his  father's  house,  to  seek  a  home 
among  strangers.  He  knew  not  where  to 
go ;  but,  having  heard  of  George  A.  Gue- 
thing,  who  resided  on  the  Antietam,  about 
eighty  miles  distant,  he  directed  his  course 
thither.  When  he  reached  the  good  man's 
house,  weary  with  travel,  afflicted  in  body 
and  in  soul,  he  gave  him  an  account  of  his 
situation.      Mr.    Guething,    who    never    sent 


116  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  distressed  empty  away,  kindly  took  him 
in,  and  advised  him  to  continue  in  f)rayer. 
'Not  long  afterward  he  found  the  pearl  of 
great  price,  after  which  he  was  healed  of  his 
bodily  affliction,  became  a  preacher  of  the 
Gosj)el,  as  we  have  seen,  and  lived  in  Grod's 
service  to  the  age  of  seventy  years.  He 
then  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith."* 

*  We  are  indebted   to    S.  Htiber's  Autobiography  for  this  inci- 
dent. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     117 


CHAPTER  YI. 


ENGLISH-SPEAKING  RECRUITS — M  NAMAR,  HA- 
VENS, SPICER,  STUBBS,  ROSS,  SHINGLEDECK- 
ER,  STEWARD,  ANTRIM,  AND  THE  BONE- 
BRAKES — SURVEY  OF  THE  WHOLE  WORK  IN 
1820. 

The  reader  has  probably  observed  that, 
prior  to  1813,  the  name  of  no  English  min- 
ister appears  upon  the  journals  of  either  of 
the  conferences ;  and  it  may  be  interesting 
and  profitable  to  trace  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence, which,  in  a  manner  altogether  unex- 
pected, furnished  the  church  with  her  first 
English   itinerant. 

About  the  year  1811  the  citizens  of  bishop 
Zeller's  neighborhood,  desiring  a  school  teach- 
er, secured  the  services  of  John  MclN'amar, 
who  resided  in  Fairfield,  Green  county,  0. 
Mr.  McNamar  is  described,  by  one  who  was 
acquainted  with  him  at  the  time,  as  a  small, 
lithe,  sharp- visaged,  pock-marked,  witty  man, 
careless  alike   of    his    temporal  and  of    his 


118  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

spiritual  interests.  He  was  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction,  and  was  born  in  Virginia  in 
1779. 

When  Mr.  S.,  in  compliance  with  the  con- 
tract, went  to  Fairfield  with  his  large,  cov- 
ered wagon,  to  remove  the  schoolmaster,  with 
his  family,  to  the  new  theater  of  his  labors, 
he  was  taken  aback  to  find  a  gay  dancing 
party  at  his  house,  giving  him  a  farewell 
visit.  The  dance  occupied  the  night,  and 
the  schoolmaster  and  his  family,  early  next 
morning,  were  on  their  way  to  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Grermantown. 

In  their  new  home  they  were  brought  in- 
to contact  with  a  people  who  feared  the 
Lord.  The  simple,  earnest  piety  of  the 
German  Brethren  made  a  profound  impres- 
sion upon  Mr.  McNamar's  mind ;  and  it  was 
not  long  until,  at  a  meeting  held  at  Mr. 
Zeller's  barn,  he  experienced  religion.  Soon 
after  his  conversion  he  began  to  preach ;  and, 
in  1813,  he  sent  a  letter  to  the  Miami  con- 
ference, which  met  that  year  in  Fairfield 
county,  Ohio,  requesting  a  license  to  preach. 
Upon  the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Zeller,  he 
was  received  into  the  conference,  and  author- 
ized to  preach.  The  following  year  he  be- 
came an  itinerant.     In  1816  he  was   ordain- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IX    CHRIST.    119 

ed.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  third,  fifth, 
and  sixth  general  conferences ;  and,  after  the 
decease  of  bishop  Newcomer,  he  was  elected 
ii  general  superintendent,  but  he  did  not  ac- 
<?ept  the  office. 

From  the  period  of  his  appointment  to 
a  circuit  in  1814,  until  worn  out  by  the  toils 
and  privations  of  a  pioneer  itinerant  life,  he 
devoted  himself  to  the  Master's  work  with  a 
singleness  of  aim,  and  resoluteness  of  pur- 
pose, which  have  seldom  been  equaled.  He 
planted  the  larger  part  of  the  early  English 
United  Brethren  churches  in  south-western 
Ohio  and  southern  Indiana;  and  he  was 
not  only  eminently  successful  in  organizing 
churches  and  forming  circuits,  but  also  in 
re-enforcing  the  ministry.  An  examination 
of  the  minutes  of  the  Miami  and  Indiana 
conferences,  from  1814  to  1834,  will  show 
that  to  Mr.  McJN^amar,  as  an  agent  of  Provi- 
dence, the  church  is  indebted  for  a  large 
immber  of  the  most  effective  itinerant  min- 
isters who  entered  the  ranks  during  that  in- 
teresting period  of  her  history. 

As  an  itinerant,  he  was  an  example  of 
punctuality  worthy  of  imitation.  "When  the 
time  arrived  for  him  to  start  to  an  appoint- 
ment," writes    Mr,   G^,  Boncbrake,    "he  was 


120  HISTOEY    OP    THE 

off.  He  would  wait  for  no  one,  and  listen 
to  no  excuses.  Rain,  snow,  mud,  swollen 
streams  and  floating  causeways, — any  of  these, 
or  all  of  them  combined, — could  not  change 
his  purpose.  Nothing  but  a  physical  impos- 
sibility would  detain  him  from  an  a23point- 
ment. 

As  a  preacher,  he  deserv^es  to  rank 
amongst  the  first  class  of  New  Testament 
ministers.  He  used  correct  and  forcible 
language;  spoke  slowly,  distinctly  pronounc- 
ing each  word,  and  yet  he  never  wearied  an 
audience,  but  kept  the  attention  fixed  to  the 
close.  Being  well  versed  in  polemic  divin- 
ity, he  devoted  much  attention  to  the  ex- 
position and  defense  of  the  fundamental  doc- 
trines of  Christianity,  in  opposition  to  the 
JSTew-Lightism,  then  at  the  zenith  of  its 
strength  in  southern  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Ken- 
tucky. His  sermons  on  the  Divinity  of 
Christ,  often  preached  to  immense  congrega- 
tions at  camp-meetings,  made  a  profound 
impression.  It  must  not  be  inferred,  how- 
ever, that  he  was  a  religious  pugilist,  de- 
voting his  whole  time  in  the  pulpit  to  the- 
ological disquisitions,  and  finding  his  reward 
in  the  defeat  of  his  antagonist,  or  in  the 
applause  of  his  friends.     Far  from   it.      He 


UNITED    BKETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     121 

was  not  a  vain  theologian.  His  object  was 
to  save  men;  and  he  had  the  happy  fac- 
ulty of  following  up  a  clear  exposition  and 
masterly  defense  of  some  great  truth  with  a 
heart-searching  application. 

To  say  that  he  was  a  poor  man,  and  that 
he  suffered,  is  unnecessary,  when  it  is 
known  that  his  salary  ranged  from  $40,00 
to  $130,00  a  year,  and  that  he  had  a  large 
and  very  helpless  family  to  support.  He 
could  say  in  truth, — 

"  Nothing  on.  earth  I  call  my  own ; 
A  stranger  to  the  -world  unknown, 

I  all  their  goods  despise ; 
I  trample  on  their  whole  delight. 
And  seek  a  city  out  of  sight, 

A  city  in  the  skies." 

Mr.  Spayth  has  well  remarked,  that  he  was 
"  a  true  son  of  the  Gospel,  determined  to 
march  in  the  front  ranks  of  the  ministerial 
army.  He  chose  the  frontier  country  for  his 
field  of  labor,  *  *  and  Miami,  Indiana, 
White  River,  and  Wabash  conferences,  will 
long  be  blessed  with  an  increase  of  his  la- 
bors." He  died  in  Clay  county,  Indiana,  in 
the  year  1846,  aged  67  years,  having  served 
God  in  the  ministry  thirty-six  years. 

After  Mr.  McNamar  entered  the  itineracy, 
the  work  began  to  spread  into  the   English 


122  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

communities  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  in  all 
directions ;  and  the  number  of  preachers  ^^ilo 
could  speak  the  English  language  only  was 
rapidly  multiplied.  Thus,  in  1815,  we  find 
the  names  of  two  other  English  ministers  on 
the  minutes,  viz.,  W.  P.  Smith  and  Noah 
Wheeler,  making,  with  Mr.  MclSTamar,  three 
in  all.  In  1818  the  force  had  increased  to 
fiA^e,  John  McGary  and  John  Day  having 
been  received.  In  1819  jNTathaniel  Havens, 
Samuel  S.  Spicer,  William  Robison,  and  John 
Harvy,  were   added   to  the  English  force. 

Nathaniel  Havexs  was  one  of  the  most 
useful  and  influential  of  the  early  ministers 
in  the  West.  He  was  born  in  Sussex  coun- 
ty, N.  J.,  December  13th,  1772.  In  early 
life  he  was  a  devoted  disciple  of  Thomas 
Paine,  and  served  as  a  clerk  in  an  East 
Indiaman.  After  his  marriage  he  abandoned 
the  sea,  and,  being  invited  by  Rev.  John 
Totton  to  attend  a  Methodist  meeting,  and 
listen  without  prejudice,  he  agreed  to  do  so. 
At  the  close  of  the  services  he  attempted  to 
rise  from  his  seat;  but  the  power  of  God 
had  taken  hold  upon  him,  and  he  fell  help- 
less upon  the  floor.  For  four  weeks  he 
sought  the  Lord,  in  great  agony  of  spirit. 
On  the  morning  of  his    conversion  he  went 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.     123 

out  from  his  home  a  picture  of  distress. 
His  wife,  apprehensive  that  despair  had  tak- 
en possession  of  his  mind,  and  fearing  that 
he  might  attempt  suicide,  followed,  and  found 
him  among  the  brushwood  on  the  hill-side, 
wrestling  in  prayer.  She  tarried  at  a  little 
distance  until  the  blessing  came,  and  he  be- 
gan to  shout  victory  with  a  loud  voice. 
Losing  all  thought  of  his  body,  and  rolling 
down  the  hill-side  to  the  edge  of  a  stream, 
he  was  caug'ht  by  a  shrub,  thereby  barely 
escaping  a  plunge  of  ten  feet  into  the  water. 
"I  came  near  being  converted  and  immers- 
ed," said  he,  "at  the  same  moment." 

Removing  to  the  West,  Mr,  Havens  join- 
ed the  Miami  conference,  as  above  stated, 
and  was  immediately  employed  as  an  itiner- 
ant preacher.  He  soon  attained  an  influen- 
tial position  in  the  conference,  and  was  sent 
as  a  delegate  to  the  general  conferences  of 
1821  and  1825.  He  was  an  able  preacher; 
and,  as  an  itinerant  minister,  he  w^as  faith- 
ful and  efficient.  In  person,  Mr.  Havens  is 
described  as  a  tall,  portly  man,  of  command- 
ing appearance  and  address.  He  died,  deeply 
regretted,  May  the  15th,  1832,  in  the  60th 
year  of  his  age. 

S.  S.  Spicer,  received  into  the  Miami  con- 


124  HISTORY    OF    THE 

ference  in  1819,  was  a  valuable  accession  to 
tlie  ministerial  force.  He  was  well  educated, 
had  read  law,  possessed  a  glowing  imagina- 
tion, and  vast  wealth  of  language.  His  soul 
seemed  as  a  flame  of  fire.  He  was  dis- 
tinguished in  the  pulpit  for  an  earnestness 
and  pathos  which  were  well  nigh  irresisti- 
ble. His  descriptive  powers  enabled  him  to 
portray  the  final  arraignment,  trial,  and  con- 
demnation of  the  wicked,  in  a  manner  which 
was  awfully  solemn,  and  even  terrifying. 
In  one  instance,  at  a  camp-meeting  in  the 
Miami  Valley,  all  the  ministers  in  the  stand 
were  so  afi^ected,  that  they  dropped  upon 
their  knees  while  he  was  preaching,  and  sin- 
ners fell  on  all  sides,  or  fled  in  the  utmost 
terror. 

Father  George  Bonebrake,  a  clear-headed, 
and  not  excitable  man,  relates  that,  on  one 
occasion,  while  listening  to  a  sermon  deliv- 
ered by  Mr.  Spicer,  all  in  the  congregation, 
including  himself,  left  their  seats,  without 
being  conscious  of  the  fact,  and  found  them- 
selves, at  the  close  of  the  sermon,  standing, 
packed  together,  around  the  altar  railing, 
gazing  into  the  face  of  the  preacher. 

Mr.  Spicer  took  charge  of  the  Miami  cir- 
cuit in    1820,   having  J.   Fetherhuff  for  his 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     125 

colleague.     His  circuit  included  fifty-two  ap- 
i^ointments ! 

Mr.  S.  was  a  native  of  New  England,  and  in 
person  wa*s-  large  and  quite  fleshy.  His  voice 
of  stirring  eloquence  was  soon  hushed  in  death. 

In  1820,  William  Stubbs  and  James 
Ross  were  added  to  the  itinerant  force  in  the 
west.  Mr.  Stubbs  was  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful pioneers  of  the  church  in  the  west.  He 
was  of  Quaker  descent,  always  wore  a  plain 
Quaker  dress,  and  used  "thee"  and  "thou" 
in  his  family.  He  was  placed  in  charge  of 
the  Twin  creek  (0.,)  circuit,  in  1820;  of  the 
Whitewater,  (Ind.,)  1821;  and  he  continued 
to  travel  in  Indiana  while  health  and  strength 
permitted.  He  was  a  member  of  the  general 
conference  of  1837.  In  his  manners  he  was 
retiring;  in  conversation  sparing.  His  tem- 
perament was  melancholy,  and  all  his  ser* 
mons  and  exhortations  were  shaded  by  the 
somber  hues  of  his  sweet,  sad  spirit.  He 
thought  much,  and  preached  much  upon 
death,  judgment,  and  eternity.  As  an  ex- 
pounder of  the  word  of  God  he  excelled  in 
the  prophecies.  These  he  had  studied  with 
care,  aided  by  the  best  lights  he  could  ob- 
tain; and  as  he  was  well  versed  in  history, 
and  had  a  retentive  memory,  his  discourses 


126  HISTORY    OF    THE 

on  the  projoliecies  were  listened  to  with  eager 
attention  and  real  profit.  He  received  into  the 
church  a  great  many  members,  and  among 
the  number  several  who  afterward  became  use- 
ful ministers.  Like  the  most  of  the  pioneers 
in  Christ's  cause,  he  struggled  with  poverty, 
many,  many  years,  but  at  length,  and  only 
a  few  years  since,  he  left  this  vale  of  sorrow 
for  his  rich  inheritance  in  heaven. 

James  Ross,  the  other  English  preacher, 
received  in  1820,  became  an  efiicient  itinerant. 
In  1820  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  White- 
water circuit  in  Indiana,  having  A,  Shingle- 
decker  for  colleague. 

He  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  appearance 
and  manners,  dignified,  sociable,  a  systematic 
and  fluent  speaker,  and,  in  his  best  moods, 
eloquent. 

A.  Shingledeckee,  a  brand  plucked  from 
the  burning,  was  licensed  at  Miami,  in  1818. 
He  was  born  near  Dayton,  0.  His  father 
was  Grerman,  his  mother  Irish;  but  in  Abra- 
ham the  Irish  predominated,  and  he  grew  up 
a  reckless,  godless  young  man.  In  the  late 
war  he  was  a  volunteer,  and  stories  are  told 
of  his  bold,  bad  adventures,  which  ne^ed  not 
be  repeated  hero.  Drinking,  fiddling,  and 
dancing,  were  his  favorite  amusements.    In  a 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     127 

rery  remarkable  manner  was  he  saved  from 
hell.  It  was  on  this  wise:  He  went  to  a 
dance,  and,  as  was  his  wont,  took  his  violin 
to  play;  and  as  the  first  set  formed  on  the 
floor  to  dance,  and  just  as  he  struck  up  the 
tune,  one  of  the  number,  a  young  lady,  fell 
at  his  feet.  He  dropped  his  violin,  and 
snatched  her  from  the  floor,  but  she  was 
dead!  Xot  a  syllable  did  she  utter,  not  a 
breath  did  she  breathe. 

Of  course  the  ball  was  closed;  and  as  Mr. 
Shingiedecker  went  home  that  night,  he 
thought  of  his  soul.  Deep  conviction  fasten- 
ed upon  him,  and  he  resolved  that  he  would 
dance  no  more;  and  deliberately  walking  up 
to  a  tree,  he  smashed  his  violin  into  a  hun- 
dred pieces.  Then  he  sought  the  Lord,  was 
powerfully  converted,  and  subsequently  called 
into  the  ministry. 

He  is  described  as  a  tall,  spare,  and  rather 
singular-looking  man.  "When  preaching,  in 
his  best  days,"  says  father  John  Morgan, 
"his  voice  would  gradually  rise  until,  in  a 
still  evening,  he  could  easily  be  heard  a  mile 
or  more;  and  who  could  hear  him  and  not 
be  affected.  Surely  I  could  not.  His  exhorta- 
tions in  general,  were  the  most  stirring  I 
ever  heard  from  an}^  man." 


128  HISTORY    OF    THE 

In  1821  William  Steward  appeared  be- 
fore the  Miami  annual  conference,  then  in 
session  at  Aclelphia,  "with  a  good  recom- 
mendation, and  was  joyfully  received."  This 
record  intimates  that  he  was  regarded  as  a 
valuable  accession  to  the  ministerial  force  of 
the  conference;  and  the  favorable  impressions 
which  he  made,  when  he  was  received,  were 
more  than  realized.  He  entered  the  itinerant 
ranks  promptly,  and  was  placed  on  the  Kin- 
niconick  circuit,  where  he  labored  with  great 
acceptability.  At  the  next  conference  he  was 
ordained.  In  1823  he  traveled  Brush  creek 
circuit;  in  1824,  Washington.  The  following 
year  he  appears  to  have  been  elected  presid- 
ing elder;  and  he  was  a  member  of  the  gen- 
eral conference  of  1825.  His  labors  were  con- 
fined to  the  country  now  included  within  the 
boundaries  of  the  Scioto  conference;  and  no 
name,  perhaps,  is  held  dearer  by  the  older 
members  of  the  church  in  that  conference. 

He  was  a  tall,  slender  man,  with  large, 
Roman  nose,  piercing  eyes,  and  frank,  open, 
cheerful  countenance.  He  had  a  strong  voice, 
and  a  ready  utterance ;  and  he  was  fired  with 
a  quenchless  zeal.  Bishop  Kussel  has  fur- 
nished the  best  sketch  of  him  we  have  been 
able  to  obtain.     He  says: — 


UNITED    BRETKEEN    IN    CHRIST.     129 

**Rev.  William  Steward,  my  second  pre- 
siding elder,  was  one  of  the  Boanerges  of  his 
day.  He  w^as  a  man  of  distinguished  piety 
and  usefulness.  His  experimental  knowledge, 
good  sense,  ready  wit,  cheerfulness  of  tem- 
per, unaffected  piety,  and  humility,  rendered 
his  presence  exceedingly  agreeable,  and  his 
conversation  highly  entertaining  in  the  fam- 
ilies with  whom  he  staid,  so  that  he  was 
always  a  most  welcome  guest.  His  presence 
was  much  coveted  by  the  sick;  and  his  ex- 
cellent judgment,  and  affectionate  disposition, 
rendered  him  an  angel  of  mercy  in  the  sick- 
room. His  prayers  were  never  tedious,  never 
wearisome,  but  always  pointed,  appropriate, 
and  comprehensive;  and  he  possessed,  in  an 
unusual  degree,  the  power  of  drawing  the 
worshiper  with  him  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
and  leading  the  devotions  of  the  congregation. 

"As  a  minister,  his  method  was  easy,  cor- 
rect, and  clear.  His  language  was  the  plain, 
strong  Saxon  of  king  James'  version  of  the 
Bible.  Every  sentence  uttered  was  pregnant 
with  thought;  and  his  mind  seemed  as  a 
perennial  fountain.  He  shunned  not  to  de- 
clare the  whole  counsel  of  God.  Free  grace 
was  his  favorite  theme.  He  regarded  regen- 
eration as  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Bible. 
Vol.  II.— 0. 


130  HISTORY    OF    THE 

The  necessity,  nature,  and  evidences  of  tliia 
great  work  were  set  forth  by  him  in  a  most 
convincing  and  forcible  manner,  and  the  echo 
of  his  voice  is  still  in  my  ear." 

With  a  strong  constitution,  a  powerful 
mind,  deep-toned  piety,  and  a  zeal  for  souls 
which  caused  him  to  despise  the  honors  of 
the  world,  and  to  labor  incessantly,  without 
adequate  pecuniary  compensation,  is  it  any 
wonder  that  he  was  almost  idolized  by  the 
church? 

In  1829,  aftei'  only  eight  years  of  labor  in 
the  itineracy,  he  died,  while  in  his  field  of 
labor,  and  away  from  home.  He  died  very 
suddenly,  but  died  at  his  post,  happy  in  God. 
"His  death,"  says  Mr.  Hanby,  "was  entered 
upon  the  conference  journal  with  painful  emo- 
tions." 

In  1818,  Jacob  Antrim,  then  a  round-faced 
young  man,  of  very  fine  voice,  fluent  speech, 
and  taking  manners,  was  brought  out  from 
Pennsylvania  to  the  west,  by  bishops  New- 
comer and  Zeller,  and  admitted  into  the  confer- 
ence, as  an  exhorter.  He  began  to  itinerate 
immediately ;  and  his  success  was  remarkable. 
He  was  a  good  singer,  an  ingenious  preacher, 
a  great  exhorter,  had  tact,  and  an  energy 
^and  buoyancy  of  spirit  which  bore  him  on- 

i 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN"    CHRIST.    131 

ward,  where  stronger  men  would  have  sunk 
down  in  discouragement,  if  not  in  despair. 
In  the  Miami  Valley,  and  especially  in 
southern  Indiana,  he  was  remarkably  suc- 
cessful in  gathering  members  into  the  church. 
During  a  long  series  of  years,  he  was  an 
unrivaled  revivalist. 

Mr.  Antrim  compiled  and  published  the 
second  English  hymn-book  circulated  among 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  It  is  a 
respectable  book,  containing  332  hymns, 
some  of  which  are  from  the  compiler's 
own  pen.  This  collection  was  printed  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  by  Regans  &  Van  Cleve,  in 
1829. 

After  forty-two  years  of  service  in  the 
mhiistry,  Mr.  Antrim  finished  his  course 
with  joy,  February  the  19th,  1861.  He  left 
his  home,  at  Germantown,  in  June,  1860, 
and  went  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  his  favorite  work  of  holding  pro- 
tracted meetings,  until  prostrated  by  illness. 
As  death  drew  near,  hp  joined  with  some 
friends  in   singing  the   dear   old   hymn, 

"  On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand,"  etc., 

and  then  sweetly  slept  in  Jesus,  having 
reached   his    70th  year. 

The  BoNEBRAKES,   six    brothers,  all    min- 


132  HISTORY    OF    THE 

isters,  began  to  enter  the  ministry  in  1820. 
George  and  Henry  entered  the  traveling 
connection,  and,  by  their  eminent  ability, 
piety,  and  energy,  contributed  greatly  to  the 
progress  of  the  cause,  from  1820  to  1840. 
George  was  regarded  as  a  superior  doctrinal 
preacher,  and   as   an   excellent  disciplinarian. 

Let  us  now  take  a  survey  of  the  whole 
work,  as  it  stood  in  1820-21,  the  year  prior 
to  the  third  general  conference. 

Of  the  number  of  members  no  record 
had  been  kept.  At  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  old  conference,  sometimes  called  the 
Maryland,  at  other  times  the  Hagerstown, 
and  in  the  minutes  simply  "  The  Conference 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"  thirty-one  ministers  were  in  attend- 
ance ;  and,  allowing  twenty  to  be  absent,  the 
whole  number  would  be  fifty-one. 

The  work  was  divided  into  four  presiding 
elders'  districts,  three  circuits,  and  one  sta- 
tion. George  Guething  was  placed  in  charge 
of  Virginia  district;  Samuel  Huber,  of  Ha- 
gerstown; Abraham  Mayer,  of  Juniata;  and 
John  Neiding,  of  Lancaster.  John  Snyder 
was  stationed  at  Baltimore,  in  the  Otterbein 
Church.  Hagerstown  circuit  was  traveled 
by  William  Brown  and  Conrad  Weist;    Ju- 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.     133 

niata,  John  Brown;    Yirginia,  Daniel  Pfeifer 
a-nd  Jacob   Dunnaho.     Thus  we  have,  in  the 
old  conference, — 
Preachers  (estimated),      -        -        -        -     51 

Fields   of  labor, 8 

Itinerant  preachers,  -         -         -         -         -     10 
Contributed  for  the  support  of  the  preach- 
ers,         1371,00 

Of  the  itinerant  preachers,  only  five  received 

pay,  as   follows: — 

William  Brown,         -        -        -        -    $74,28 

David  Fleck, 74,28 

Daniel  Pfeifer,    -        -        -        -        -       74,28 

Conrad  Weist, 74,28 

John  Brown,       -  ...       74,28 

We  find  but  one  preacher  in  this  con- 
ference who  was  not  German.  That  ex- 
ception was  Jacob  Dunnaho,  an  Irish- 
man. Some  of  the  members  of  the  confer- 
ence, however,  could  speak  the  English  lan- 
guage, and  a  few  of  them  could  speak  it 
quite  well.  They  were  at  home,  however, 
In  the  German. 

In  the  Miami  conference  a  greater  num- 
ber of  itinerants  had  been  employed,  and 
the  missionary  movement  in  the  English 
communities  had  been  fully  inaugurated. 
The  work  was  divided  into  five  districts  and 


134  HISTORY    OF    THE 

seven  circuits.  Two  of  these  included  the 
present  territory  of  the  Scioto  conference. 
The  third  and  fourth  embraced  the  Miami 
Valley;  the  fifth,  Indiana.  The  presiding 
elders  were,  George  Benedum,  Henry  Joseph 
Frey,  Henry  Kumler,  J.  G.  Pfrimmer,  and 
Henry  Evinger.  The  circuits,  and  the  min- 
isters who   traveled   them,    follow: 

Lancaster — Jacob    Antrim,    Nathaniel    Ha- 
vens, L.  Kramer,  and  John  Smaltz. 

Miami — Samuel  S.  Spicer  and  John  Fether- 
hutf. 

Greenville — George  Hoffman,  William  Rich- 
ardson,  and  John   Oblinger. 

TwincreeJc — William  Stubbs,  John  McGary, 
and   Jacob  Zeller. 

.   WTiitewater — James     Ross     and     Abraham 
Shingledecker. 

Indiana    Kfiobs — J.    G.    Pfrimmer,     Jacob 
Daup,  and  John  Evinger. 

I^om   Lawrencehurg   to    Corydon — John  Mc- 
JSTamar,  Missionary. 

Thus  we  have  in  the  Miami  conference: 

Preachers, 51 

Itinerants, 23 

Districts,  circuits,  and  missions,  -  -  12 
Amount  raised  for  the  support  of  the 

itinerants  on  the  various  circuits,  $348,95J 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     135 


The  settlement  made  with  the  traveling 
preachers  in  the  Miami,  in  1821,  just  before 
the  general  conference  (we  have  no  record 
of  the  settlement  for  1820),  will  show  by 
what  preachers  this  money  was  raised,  and 
how  distributed.  We  copy  from  the  journal 
of  the  conference : 

SETTLEMENT  WITH  THE  TRAVELING  PREACHERS. 

Itinerants.  Collected  on      Dividend, 

their  Field. 


James  Ross,  -  - 
A.  Shingledecker, 
J.  Fetherhuff,  - 
John  Day,  -  - 
Samuel  S.  Spicer, 
Jacob  Antrim,  - 
J,  Smaltz,  -  - 
Lewis  Kramer,  - 
N.  Havens,  -  - 
W.  Stubbs,  -  - 
John  McNamar, 
John  McGary,    - 


145  65 
16  00 
22  45| 
38  58 
49  00 
66  61 
9  IVf 
5  06i 
19  00 
35  30 
14  76 
27  37i 


141  16 
41  16 
25  00 
31  34 
44  00 

25  00 
16  00 
23  00 

26  00 
43  50 
41  16 
50  00 


I  1348  95|  1409  32 
"Of  the  above,  Christian  K'ewcomer 
brought  ^5,23  as  a  contribution  from  the 
East.  The  dividend  is  made  according  to 
the  time  each  jii'^acher  traveled."  From 
this  settlement  it  appears  that  the  whole 
sum  collected  for  the  support  of  the  travel- 


136  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

ing  preachers  in  the  Miami  conference,  in 
1821,  which  then  embraced  the  Scioto  and 
Indiana  conferences, — in  fact,  the  whole  work 
west  of  the  Muskingum  River, — was  $348,- 
95|.  This  table  also  shows  that  quite  a 
number  who  were  placed  on  circuits,  and  were 
counted  as  itinerants,  received  no  remunera- 
tion at   all. 

In  the  Muskingum  conference  the  cause 
had  advanced  more  slowly,  owing,  no  doubt, 
to  the  want  of  an  efficient  itineracy.  At  the 
second  session  of  the  conference,  held  in 
1819,  "  Christian  Berger"  (we  co])j  from  the 
minutes)  "agreed  to  travel  a  circuit  for  six 
months,  to  try  the  experiment,  which  was 
sanctioned  by  the  conference."  In  1820  it 
was  resolved  to  divide  the  conference  into 
two  districts,  and  Matthias  Bortsfield  was 
elected  presiding  elder  for  the  new  district 
tlius  created.  Christian  Berger  was  appoint- 
ed to  travel  for  one  year,  and  C.  Seniff"  and 
Abraham  Forney   for  six  months  each. 

This  conference,  then,  in  1820,  had — 
Preachers  (estimated),       -        -        -        -  12 

Itinerants,  -        -        -        -        -        -        -    3 

Fields  of  labor, 3 

The  sum  paid  for    preaching   in  1820  we 


UNITED    BKETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    137 

have   not  been  able  to   obtain;  but,  for  the 
following  year,  it  stood  thus: 

A.  Forney,  five  months,  -        -  -  |18  00 

C.  Berger,      "           "        -        -  -  18  60 

C.  Seniff,   four          "        -        -  -  8  00 


Total,       ...  -     $44  6u 

SUMMARY   OF   ALL    THE    CONFERENCES. 

Preachers, 114 

Itinerants, 36 

Districts  and  circuits,       -        -        -        -     23 
Contributed    for     the     support     of 

preaching, $814  92 

This  does  not  include  the  salary  paid  the 
pastor  of  the  Otterbein  Church  in  Baltimore. 
As  to  the  number  of  members,  we  are  not 
able  to  calculate  with  any  great  degree  of 
confidence.  Allowing,  however,  for  each  itin- 
erant preacher,  including  the  presiding  eld- 
ers, 250  members,  the  whole  membership 
of  the  church,  in  1820,  would  be  9,000. 
Mr.  Asbury  estimates  the  number  in  the 
church,  before  the  pruning  process  commenc- 
ed, at  20,000,  which  would  indicate  a  loss 
of  more  than  10,000  members. 

These  facts  abundantly  prove  what  has 
been  said  of  the  severe  ordeal  through  which 


138  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  church  passed,  between  1810  and  1820; 
and  had  we  not  ah'eady  introduced  a  class 
(){  remarkably  promising  laborers,  raised  up 
<'uid  brought  into  the  ministry  near  the 
(lose  of  this  period  of  trial,  the  reader 
■would  go  up  to  the  general  conference  of 
J  821    with  feelings  of  discouragement. 


UNITED    BKETHREX    IN    CHRIST.     139 


CHAPTER  VTI. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1821 — RULES  ON 
SLAVERY,  AND  THE  LIQUOR  TRAFFIC — THE 
TEMPERANCE   CAUSE  — JOSEPH   HOFFMAN. 

The  third  general  conference  convened  at 
Dewalt  Mechlin's,  in  Fairfield  county,  Ohio, 
May  the  15th,  1821.  The  whole  church,  as 
in  1815,  had  been  divided  into  districts,  and 
were  named  and  represented  as  follows : 

Maryland — Samuel  Huber,  Wm.  Brown. 

Carlisle — Michael   Bear. 

Virginia — George  Guething,  D.  Pfeifer. 

Miami — Henry  Joseph  Frey,  Henry  Ev- 
inger,    Henry  Kumler,  sen.,  A.  Bonsler. 

Muskingum — Michael  Bortsfield,  A.  Forney. 

N'ew  Lancaster — Lewis  Kramer,  Nathaniel 
Havens. 

Lower  Lancaster — George  Benedum,  Joseph 
Hoffman. 

Indiana — John  McNamar,  John  George 
Pfrimmer. 

Three    delegates    elected    from    the    East 


140  HISTORY    OF    THE 

failed  to  attend.  Newcomer  and  Zeller  were 
members  of  the  conference  by  virtue  of  their 
office  as  superintendents. 

Bishop  Newcomer  called  the  conference  to 
order,  read  John  xv.,  offered  prayer,  and 
delivered  an  address.  Of  the  matters  brought 
before  this  conference,  those  of  general  in- 
terest will  be  noticed  in  the  order  in  which 
they  came  up. 

1.  The  plan  of  representation.  A  letter  or  pe- 
tition from  two  influential  ministers  not  in  the 
conference  was  presented,  praying  that  the  dis- 
cipline be  so  changed  that  each  conference 
be  represented  in  general  conference  by  two 
itinerant  and  two  local  preachers.  The  matter 
of  the  petition  was  considered,  and,  on  motion 
of  Jos.  Hoffman,  it  was  resolved  that  the  plan 
adopted  in   1815  remain  in  force. 

2.  The  plan  of  supporting  the  ministry.  This 
subject,  very  properly,  occupied  much  atten- 
tion. It  was  introduced  on  a  motion  made 
by  Mr.  McNamar,  who  had  traveled  the 
year  before  for  $41,16,  one  half  only  of 
which  was  contributed  by  the  circuit  upon 
which  he  traveled.  The  conference  provided 
that  a  circuit  steward  should  be  appointed 
by  the  presiding  elder  and  the  circuit 
preacher    for    each  circuit;    and    that    each 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     141 

class  should  elec-t  an  assistant  steward,  that 
is,  an  assistant  to  the  circuit  steward,  which 
assistant  steward  should  be  required  to  lift 
quarterly  contributions  in  money  and  prod- 
uce (the  produce  to  be  valued  according  to 
its  worth  between  brothers),  for  the  support 
of  the  itinerant  preachers ;  and  that  said 
assistant  steward  should  report  all  money 
and  produce  obtained  to  the  circuit  steward, 
who  should  report  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. It  was  also  made  the  duty  of  the 
presiding  elder  to  carry  the  reports  made 
at  the  quarterly  conferences,  by  the  circuit 
stewards,  to  the  annual  conference.  These 
measures  told  favorably  upon  the  finances  of 
the  conferences. 

3.  Action  on  slavery.  On  no  subject  have 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  preserved  a 
cleaner  record  than  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 
The  idea  of  chattel  slavery  was  abhorrent 
to  all  the  fathers ;  and,  although  many  of 
them  were  born  and  raised  in  slave  States, 
yet  it  is  not  on  record  that  any  one  of  them 
ever  uttered  a  single  syllable  of  apology  for 
slavery.  Otterbein  and  Boehm,  in  common 
with  Asbury  and  Coke,  and  the  leading  di- 
vines of  all  the  Protestant  churches  in  their 
day,    protested    against    the    African    slave 


142  HISTOTIY    OF    THE 

trade,  and  against  sla^^ery  itself.  But,  while 
many  other  churches  have  receded  from  the 
old  anti-slavery  ground  on  which  they  stood 
during  the  first  and  second  decade  of  the 
century,  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  have 
firmly,  and  almost  alone,  maintained  theirs. 
Our  simple-hearted  people  could  never  rec- 
oncile it  to  their  consciences  to  buy  and  sell 
their  brethren  in  the  Lord,  or  any  for  whom 
Christ  died ;  and,  true  to  the  self-reliant  and 
industrious  habits  which  they  brought  from 
the  Fatherland,  they  preferred  to  earn  their 
own  bread  with  the  honest  labor  of  their 
own  hands. 

Mr.  Spayth  says :  "  Involuntary  servitude, 
except  for  crime,  has  always  been  condem- 
ned by  our  church.  Never,  at  any  j^eriod, 
did  the  church  view  it  in  any  other  light 
than  as  oppressive  and  unjust.  They  al- 
ways testified  decidedly  against  the  system, 
giving  it  no  countenance,  neither  receiving 
nor  encouraging  a  holder  of  slaves  to  unite 
with  the  church."* 

Owing  to  the  rapid  exj^ansion  of  slave 
territory,  the  wonderful  growth  of  the  cotton 
interest,  and  the  consequent  enhancement  of 
the  price   of    slaves,    public    sentiment,   and 

»  U.  B.  History,  p.  155. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     143 

even  church  sentiment,  began  to  relax  amaz- 
ingly, as  early  as  1821 ;  and  a  few  years 
sufficed  to  silence  the  press,  the  pulpit,  and 
the  church  of  the  South,  in  relation  to  the 
sin,  and  to  place  in  ignominious  bondage 
nearly  all  the  denominations  of  the  whole 
country!  The  general  conference  of  1821, 
foreseeing,  probably,  the  wide-spread  and 
alarming  corruption  of  the  Christian  con- 
science, wisely  resolved  to  place  upon  record, 
in  j)lain  terms,  the  doctrine  of  Christianity, 
as  they  had  received  it,  in  relation  to  this 
evil,  and  effectually  bar  the  door  against  it. 
The  following  resolution  was  accordingly 
adopted,  and  placed  in  the  discipline: 

COPY   OF   THE   ORIGINAL. 

*  33efd)Ioffen  unb  ycrovtnet,  ta^  feme  (Sclayeret,  tn  mU 
(i)cx  ©eftdt  fte  auc^  Beftef)en  moge  unb  tn  feinem  (5mne  te^ 
gBort^,  tn  unferer  ®emetnfrf)aft  ©tatt  \)aUn  ober  criaufet 
wevben  foil ;  nnb  foUten  'Pcvfonen  ft^  i^orftnben,  bte  ®clai:cn 
I^alten  unb  ©lieber  itntcv  unci  fetn  oberftd)  melben,  xim  fcldie 
ju  njcvben :  fo  flntnen  (Srftcre  fctnc  ©Itebcr  ber  SSeretnt'gten 
Sriibcr  tn  (ibxifio  hkibva  unb  Se&tere  fcinc  reerben,  e0  fei 
benn,  baf  fte  thve  ScUti^en  fret  fe^en,  fo  l^alb  tl)nen  i^on  ber 
|a()rltd)en  donferenj  i)Drgefrf)rteben  mirb,  fo  ju  tbun.  (SS 
foU  auc^  fetn  ®lieb  itnferer  ©emeinfdjaft  t>a^  ^t^t  l)abm, 
irgcitb  etntgc  ^cUwm,  bte  e^  je^t  ^abm  tnag,  jn  t>erfaufen. 
gg  foil  tn  ber  ©ewalt  ber  jal)rlid)cn  S'onferenj  fetn,  folc^en 
(5flai)cn^a(tem  etne  3Sorfcf)rtft  ju  madden,  ob  nnb  wte  langc 


144  HISTORY    OF    THE 

fte  il)re  <ScIayen  ycrttncjcn  tuvfcn  ;  ted)  foil  e^  fcincr  (Ion= 
fcrcnj  niaiibt  fein,  fold)cn  ©ctai^cnbaltevn  (Srlaulmi^  ju  ge? 
ben,  tlire  ^clayen  \an(\(x  ju  {)altcn  otev  ju  i^erbingen,,  alg 
bi^  ber  SJ^ctfter  buvd)  tic  5(rbeit  folcl)er  ^ne4)tc  etne  SScrgel; 
tung  bat  fill-  bte  ^\>ften  il)ver  (frjtcbung  ofcer  i|)re^  5infauf^. 

TRAJn'SLATIOX. 

"*  Resolved  and  enacted,  That  no  slavery, 
in  whatever  form  it  may  exist,  and  in  no 
sense  of  the  word,  shall  be  permitted  or 
tolerated  in  our  church ;  and  should  there 
be  found  any  persons  holding  slaves,  Avho 
are  members  among  us,  or  make  application  to 
become  such,  then  the  former  can  not  remain, 
and  the  latter  can  not  become,  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  unless  they 
manumit  their  slaves  as  soon  as  they  re- 
ceive directions  from  the  annual  conference 
so  to  do.  JSTeither  shall  any  member  of  our 
church  have  the  right  to  sell  any  of  the 
slaves  which  he  or  she  may  now  hold.  It 
shall   be   in  the  power  of  the  annual  confer- 

*  As  there  has  been  some  dispute  about  the  precise  reading  of  this 
rule,  we  hare  taken  some  pains  to  obtain  it  as  originally  adopted. 
It  seems  that  J.  G.  Pfrimmer  kept  a  journal  of  the  general  confer- 
ence ;  and  from  that  journal  bishop  Samuel  Hiestand  copied  the  min- 
utes of  the  general  conference  of  1821  into  the  Miami  conference 
journal.  We  give  the  rule  in  the  German,  as  we  find  it  in  the  hand- 
writing of  bishop  H.  The  translation  is  by  E.  Light,  and  is  as 
nearly  literal  as  it  can  be  made.  See  Miami  conference  journal, 
pp.   96—103. 


tJNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     145 

ence  to  prescribe  to  sucli  slaveholders  wheth- 
er, and  hoAV  long,  they  may  hire  out  their 
slaves ;  but  no  conference  shall  be  allowed 
to  give  to  such  slaveholders  permission  to 
hold  or  hire  out  their  slaves  for  any  time 
longer  than  until  the  master  shall,  through 
the  labor  of  such  servants,  have  a  remu- 
neration for  the  expenses  of  raising  or  buy- 
ing them." 

The  reader  will  not  fail  to  notice  the 
points  in  this  resolution.  1.  J^o  slavery  shall 
be  permitted  or  tolerated.  2.  If  there  should 
be  persons  in  the  church  who  hold  slaves, 
they  can  not  remain  in  it,  unless  they  man- 
umit them  as  soon  as  they  receive  notice 
to  do  so.  3.  If  slaveholders  apply  for  ad- 
mission, they  can  not  be  received  unless 
they  set  their  slaves  free.  4.  JSTo  one  who 
may  be  involved  in  the  evil  shall  rid  him- 
self of  it  by  selling  his  slaves.  5.  The  an- 
nual conference  shall  become  the  guardian 
of  any  persons  who  may  be  held  as  slaves 
by  members  of  the  church,  and  make  for 
them  a  fair  contract  as  to  the  time  they 
shall  serve,  as  a  remuneration  to  their  mas- 
ters for  raising  or  buying  them.  6.  No  con- 
ference is   allowed  to  require  a  slave  to  pay 

YOL.  II.— 10. 


146  HISTORY    OF    THE 

any  more  to  his  master  than  simple  justice^ 
as  between  man  and  man,  demands. 

It  may  be  thought  that  this  resolution  is 
inconsistent  with  itself,  because  it  forbids 
all  slavery  and  then  provides  for  certain 
cases;  but  this  objection  overlooks  the  fact 
tliat  the  provisions  are  not  for  slavery,  but 
for  emancipation.  It  is  not  admitted  in  the 
resolution  that  any  one  ma}^  ever  be  right- 
fully held  as  a  slave;  but  it  is  implied  that 
one  Avho  is  in  the  condition  of  a  slave  ac- 
cording to  the  civil  law,  may  be  under  jje- 
cuniary  obligations  to  a  Christian ;  and  of 
the  fact  of  such  obligations  and  their  extent, 
the  annual  conference  is  made  the  arbiter. 
One  can  readily  conceive  how  such  obliga- 
tions might  arise,  and  become  the  subject  of 
Christian  arbitration. 

Still,  the  subject  of  arbitration,  in  cases  of 
this  kind,  is  one  of  extreme  difficulty;  and 
it  was  deemed  advisable,  at  a  subsequent 
general  conference,  to  remove  from  the  rule 
provision  for  such  arbitration.  The  rule  as 
amended,  and  to  which  the  church  has  ad- 
hered through  evil  report  and  good  report, 
is  as  follows: 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word, 
is  totally  prohibited,  and  shall  in  no  way  be 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     147 

tolerated  in  our  church.  Should  *any  be 
found  in  our  society  who  hold  slaves,  they 
can  not  continue  as  members  unless  they 
do  personally  manumit  or  set  free  such 
slaves. 

And  when  it  is  known  to  any  of  our  min- 
isters in  charge  of  a  circuit,  station,  or  mis- 
sion, that  any  of  its  members  hold  a  slave, 
or  slaves,  he  shall  admonish  such  members 
to  manumit  such  slave  or  slaves ;  and  if 
such  persons  do  not  take  measures  to  carry 
out  the  discipline,  they  shall  be  expelled 
by  the  j^ro^ier  authorities  of  the  church; 
and  any  minister  refusing  to  attend  to  the 
duties  above  described,  shall  be  dealt  with 
by  the  authorities  to  which  he  is  amenable. 

5.  Liquor-making.  Another  measure  of 
great  importance,  adopted  by  the  general 
conference  of  1821,  deserves  especial  notice. 
It  relates  to  the  manufacture  of  intoxicating 
drinks.  The  subject  was  introduced  by  Geo. 
Benedum,  who  offered  a  motion  which  de- 
clared that  "no  preacher  shall  be  allowed 
to  carry  on  a  distillery."  William  Brown 
moved  to  amend,  by  striking  out  the  word 
"preacher,"  and  substituting  the  word  "mem- 
ber."    It  was  then — 

"Resolved — That  neither  preacher  nor  lay- 


148  HISTOHY    OF    THE 

member  shall  be  allowed  to  carry  on  a  dis- 
tillery; and  that  distillei's  bo  requested  to 
willingly  cease  the  business;  that  the  mem- 
bers of  the  general  conference  be  requested 
to  lay  this  resolution  before  the  several  an- 
nual conferences;  that  it  shall  then  be  the 
duty  of  the  preachers  to  labor  against  the 
evils  of  intemperance  during  the  interval  be- 
tween this  and  the  next  general  conference, 
when  the  subject  shall  again  be  taken  up  for 
further  consideration." 

If  we  may  make  a  single  exception,  this 
is  the  earliest  ecclesiastical  action  on  record, 
which  was  aimed  at  the  suppression  of  the 
liquor  traffic.  The  earliest  action  which  has 
come  under  our  notice,  was  taken  by  the 
General  Association  of  Massachusetts  Proj^er, 
in  1811,  at  which  time  a  committee,  of  which 
Rev.  Dr.  Worcester  was  chairman,  was  ap- 
pointed to  draft  the  constitution  of  a  society, 
whose  object  should  be  to  check  the  progress 
of  intemperance,  viewed  by  the  association  as 
a  growing  evil.  It  was  not,  however,  until 
1813  that  the  contemplated  society  w^as  or- 
ganized and  held  a  meeting.  Associated  with 
this  movement  were  some  of  the  most  emi- 
nent men  of  New  England,  such  as  Hon. 
Samuel  Dexter  and  Hon.  Nathan  Dane.    But 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     149 

as  it  originated  among,  and  was  controled 
by,  the  Unitarians,  it  exerted  no  considerable 
influence  out  of  the  New  England  States; 
and  it  was  not  until  after  the  organization  of 
the  American  Temperance  Society,  in  1826, 
that  the  evangelical  Christian  denominations 
entered  into  the  movement.  This  was  five 
years  after  the  United  Brethren  general  con- 
ference, composed  mainly  of  German  preach- 
ers, had  committed  the  United  Brethi-en  min- 
istry, in  particular,  and  the  United  Brethren 
church,  in  general,  to  a  decisively  aggressive 
movement  against  intemperance.  The  gen- 
eral conference  of  1821  did  not  regard  its 
action  as  final,  but  made  it  the  duty  of  the 
preachers  in  all  the  conferences  to  "labor 
against  the  evils  of  intemperance,"  reserving 
further  action  for  a  subsequent  general  confer- 
ence. It  can  not  be  claimed  that  the  United 
Brethren  were  tardy  in  entering  the  temper- 
ance movement;  nor,  in  view  of  repeated 
general  and  annual  conference  action,  and  the 
uniform  activity  of  members  and  ministers 
since  1821,  that  they  have  been  slothful  in 
the  work.  The  truth  is  they  were  among  the 
pioneers  in  the  temperance  movement,  and 
have  always  fought  in  the  advanced  columns. 
It  may  be  added  that  a  powerful  impulse 


150  HISTORY    OF    THE 

was  given  to  the  temperance  movement,  by  the 
hearty  co-operation  of  nearly  all  the  evangel- 
ical Christian  churches,  with  the  American 
Temperance  Society.  During  the  first  year 
of  the  existence  of  this  society,  30  auxiliaries 
were  formed;  during  the  second,  220,  five  of 
which  were  state  institutions;  and  by  1829, 
eleven  state  societies,  and  more  than  1,000 
auxiliaries  had  been  formed.  In  1831  more 
than  2,200  societies,  embracing  170,000  mem- 
bers, were  reported  to  the  parent  society;  and 
it  was  believed  that  there  were  in  the  coun- 
try, not  less  than  3,000  societies,  numbering 
300,000  members;  more  than  1,000  distill- 
eries had  put  out  their  fires.  It  was  reported 
to  the  annual  meeting  at  Boston  that  120 
vessels  had  sailed  from  that  port  since  the 
previous  meeting,  without  any  provision  of 
spirits  on  board.  In  1833  the  auxiliary  so- 
cieties numbered  4,000,  the  members  600,000; 
and  more  than  4,000  merchants  had  ceased 
to  traffic  in  ardent  spirits,  and  not  less  than 
4,000  drunkards  had  ceased  to  use  intoxicat- 
ing drinks.  It  was  also  reported,  upon  relia- 
ble data,  that  20,000  families  were  then  living 
in  ease  and  comfort,  50,000  children  released 
from  the  blasting  influence  of  drunken  par- 
ents, 100,000  -more  from  that  parental  influ- 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    151 

ence  which  tended  to  make  them  drunkards. 


as  rasults  of  the  temperance  movement.  It 
was  believed  that  more  than  a  million  of 
persons  in  the  United  States  abstained  en- 
tirely from  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks. 

The  principle  of  total  abstinence  was  not 
ingrafted  into  the  original  society,  and  it  w^as 
first  made  the  matter  of  an  article  of  mutual 
agreement  at  Andover,  in  1826;  and  tliis 
principle  was  adopted  by  the  American  Tem- 
perance Society  in  1829. 

The  rule  in  the  United  Brethren  discipline, 
ifter  undergoing  various  modifications,  as- 
sumed its  present,  and,  we  suppose,  perma- 
nent shiipe,   in  1841.     It  reads  as  follows: — 

"The  distilling,  vending,  and  use  of  ardent 
spirits  as  a  beverage,  shall  be,  and  is  hereby 
forbidden  throughout  our  society ;  and  should 
any  preacher,  exhorter,  leader,  or  layman,  be 
engaged  in  distilling,  vending,  or  using  ardent 
spirits  as  a  beverage,  he  shall  be  accountable 
to  the  class,  or  the  quarterly  or  annual  confer- 
ence to  which  he  belongs.  If  the  offending 
brother  be  an  exhorter,  leader,  or  layman,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge  to 
ndmonish  him  in  meekness.  If  he  be  a 
Treacher,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding 
officer  of  a  quarterly  or  annual  conference  to  ad- 


152  HISTORY    OF    THE 

monish  him  to  desist  from  his  unholy  employ- 
ment, or  habit.  And  if  all  friendly  admoni- 
tions fail,  such  offending  person  or  persons 
shall  no  longer  be  considered  members  of  our 
church,  but  shall  be  expelled  from  the  same; 
provided,  however,  that  this  rule  shall  not 
be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  druggists  and 
others  from  vending  or  using  it  for  medic- 
inal or  mechanical  purposes." 

To  return  to  the  general  conference  of  1821. 
Christian  Newcomer,  although  he  had  now 
reached  his  72nd  year,  was  full  of  itinerant 
fire,  and  able  to  perform  the  duties  of  a 
superintendent;  he  was  accordingly  re-elected. 
Andrew  Zeller,  although  younger  than  Mr. 
Newcomer,  being  unable  to  perform  the  long 
journeys  on  horseback  required  of  a  super- 
intendent, was  not  re-elected.  His  place  was 
filled  by  the  election  of  Joseph  Hoffman,  who 
was  then  in  the  vigor  of  life.  Bishop  Zeller 
had  worthily  filled  the  office  from  the  period 
of  his  first  election  in  1815. 

Joseph  Hoffman,  the  newly-elected  bishop, 
was  born  in  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  March  19th, 
1780.  He  experienced  religion  in  1801;  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1803;  became  an  itin- 
erant in  1805;  was  chosen  to  fill  the  jjulpit 
vacated  by  Otterbein  in  Baltimore,  in  1813; 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IX    CHRIST.     153 

and    in    1821,    as    just    stated,   was    elected 
bishop. 

His  talents  as  an  expounder  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures,  and  especially  of  those  portions  of 
the  Old  Testament  pertaining  to  the  temple 
and  its  service,  and  other  types  of  the  New 
Covenant,   were    rare.      He   was   gifted  with 
more  than   an   ordinary   share   of  eloquence. 
His  commanding  stature,  deep-toned,  and  well- 
accented  voice,  expressive  gestures,  and  thor- 
ough earnestness  of  manner,  inspired  his  hear- 
ers  of  all   classes   with   reverence;    and  few 
failed  to  recognize  in  him  a  chosen  embassa- 
dor of  the  court  of  heaven.     Mr.  Spayth,  who 
heard  him  in  his  best  days,  relates  some  in- 
cidents which  serve  to  illustrate  his  manner 
of  preaching  better  than  any  merely  formal 
statement.     Take,  for  example,  the  following: 
"At  a  quarterly  meeting  held  at  John  Strick- 
ler's,    in   Westmoreland    Co.,    Pa.,    in    1817, 
Joseph  Hoffman  preached  from  Isaiah  1:  18, 
19,   20.      'Come   now  and   let  us   reason  to- 
gether, saith  the  Lord;   though  your  sins  be 
as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as   white   as   snow; 
though  they  be  red  like  crimson,   they  shall 
be  as  wool,'  etc      While  dwelling  upon  the 
character  of  sin   staining  the   soul  in  all  its 
parts,   crimson  denoting  the  indelible    stain 


154  HISTORY    OF    THE 

which  no  earthly  element  can  wa.sh  away,  but 
which  almighty  grace,  through  the  atoning 
blood  of  Jesus,  can  remove  entirely,  remove 
from  every  soul,  even  the  most  deeply  crim- 
soned with  sin,  the  audience  listened  with  at- 
tention, and  were  filled  with  joy,  for  his 
speech  distilled  as  the  dew  and  as  the  small 
rain  upon  the  tender  grass.  But  when  the 
conditions  were  presented,  and  the  threaten- 
ings  of  insulted  justice  introduced,  the  feeling 
became  intense.  The  soul  stained  and  spotted 
with  sin  which  added  the  crime  of  rebellion 
against  Jehovah,  was  brought  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  lawgiver,  and  as  he  reached  the 
last  verse  of  the  text,  'But  if  ye  refuse  and 
and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devoured  by  the  sword, 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  S2:»oken  it,' 
his  voice  rose  with  the  grandeur  and  solem- 
nity of  the  theme,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the 
sword  were  actually  drawn.  'What!'  cried 
he,  'rebel,  and  there  the  svv^ord,  the  sword!' 
Sinners  were  paralyzed  with  fear,  as  if  they 
were  waiting  for  the  blow.  The  preacher 
paused,  and  looking  up,  began  to  pray:  'Oh 
Lord !  spare  this  people,  although  their  sins  be 
as  scarlet,  and  as  crimson,  in  the  fountain  that 
was  opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness  wash  them, 
and  make  them  white  as  snow.'  "     The  reader 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      155 

can  imagine  how  well  prepared  his  sin-stricken 
audience  were  to  follow  him  in  his  prayer. 

Bishop  Hoifman  was  an  excellent  specimen 
of  an  itinerant  minister.  Strong  in  body,  care- 
less of  exposure,,  suffering  poverty  joyfully, 
with  a  voice  which,  "without  being  strained, 
and  flowing  in  unison  with  the  grandeur  of 
the  gospel  theme,  could  be  distinctly  heard  a 
mile  or  more,"  he  seemed  the  personification 
of  all  that  was  desirable  in  a  pioneer  bishop. 

AVliile  he  filled  the  office  of  superintendent, 
he  traveled  extensively,  and  preached  the 
gospel  in  many  places  where  the  United 
Brethren  were  unknown.  One  summer  was 
spent  in  Canada,  in  incessant  traveling  and 
preaching,  where  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  like 
those  of  Whitfield,  were  gathered  by  others. 
He  spent  a  winter  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
"  where  he  gained  access  to  many  pulpits 
amongst  the  great  and  good;  and  had  rest 
been  his  object,  he  might  have  been  settled 
there  in  a  very  desirable  living  which  was 
proffered  him."  In  1824  he  visited  Philadel- 
i^ihia,  where  he  made  many  friends,  who  parted 
^^ith  him  reluctantly. 

^Ir.  Hoffman  filled  the  office  of  general 
.superintendent  from  1821  to  1825,  with  emi- 
nent-ability  and  faithfulness. 


156  HISTOBY    OF    THE 


CHAPTEE  YIII. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1825 — BAPTISM,  OR- 
DINATION, ITINERACY  —  THE  ENGLISH  ELE- 
MENT— MIAMI  CONFERENCE  DIVIDED — PFRIM- 
MER,    MAYER,    ETC. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1825,  the  fourth  gen- 
eral conference  assembled  at  Dewalt  Mech- 
lin's, Fairfield  Co.,  0.  The  members  present 
were  Christian  Newcomer  and  Joseph  Hoff 
man,  bishops. 

Pennsylvania  conference  (called  Hagerstown 
on  the  journal),  Abraham  Mayer,  John  Hildt, 
Jacob  Daub,  Daniel  Pfeifer,  William  Brown. 

Muskingum  conference:  H.  Gr.  Spayth,  Henry 
Errett,  James  Johnston,  J.  Crum,  Christian 
Berger. 

Miami  conference:  Henry  Kumler,  sen.,  Hen- 
ry Joseph  Fry,  Jacob  Antrim,  John  Fether- 
huif,  Samuel  Heistand,  iSTathaniel  Havens, 
Andrew  Zeller,  John  G.  Pfrimmer,  George 
Hoffman,  Dewalt  Mechlin,  William  Ambrose, 
and  William   Steward. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     157 

Bishop  Newcomer  opened  the  conference, 
reading  Matt.  25,  offering  prayer,  and  exhort- 
ing the  brethren  to  unfeigned  love. 

The  items  of  general  interest  passed  upon 
by  this  conference,  may  be  briefly  stated 
under  appropriate  heads: 

1.  On  baptism.  To  the  last  paragraph  of 
the  confession  of  faith,  the  following  words 
were  added : 

"That  from  henceforth  it  shall  not  be  law- 
ful for  one  preacher  to  censure  or  condemn, 
whether  in  private  or  in  public,  the  mode 
of  baptism  of  another;  and  whosoever  shall 
make  himself  guilty  of  such  act,  shall,  upon 
discovery,  be  considered  a  defamer,  and  be 
held  accountable  to  the  next  annual  confer 
ence."  This  item  was  reported  to  the  con- 
ference by  a  committee  of  which  the  vener- 
able John  Gr.  Pfrimmer  was  chairman,  and 
was  adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote.* 

*  The  early  brethren,  a.s  y^e  have  already  seen,  set  their  faces  like  a 
flint  against  ultraism  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  Mr.  Huber  relates 
an  anecdote  of  Mr.  Grosh,  bearing  on  this  subject,  which  is  worth  pre- 
serving. "  A  man  living  in  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  some  years  ago, 
got  under  conviction ,  and  began  to  pray  to  God.  He  went  about  praying 
in  almost  every  corner  for  a  long  time,  without  finding  relief.  It  came 
into  his  mind  one  day,  that  if  he  wanted  to  get  religion,  he  must  be 
baptized  by  immersion.  At  once  he  resolved  to  do  so,  and  when  he 
went  into  the  water  he  had  faith  that  God  would  bless  him,  and  so 
ic  turned  out.  He  got  religion  in  the  very  act  of  immersion.  From 
this  he  argued,  that,  a-s  he  had  been  seeking  the  Lord  for  a  long  time, 


158  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

2.  Ordination.  It  was  decided  that  in  case 
an  elder  is  elected  a  superintendent,  he  need 
not  be  re-ordained, — a  second  ordination  being 
without  scriptural  warrant.-  It  appears  that 
the  idea  of  ordaining  bishops  never  had  any 
hold  in  the  convictions  of  the  church;  and  it 
was  owing,  no  doubt,  to  a  very  strong  out- 
side influence  to  which  the  church  was  sub- 
jected from  1815  to  1821,  that  a  form  for 
the  ordination  of  a  bishop  was  introduced, 
and  under  it  two  bishops,  Zeller  and  Hoff- 
man, ordained.  A  few  years  sufficed  for  this 
unscriptural  usage. 

Kindred  to  the  ordination  of  bishops  was 
that  of  the  ordination  of  deacons,  thus  making 
a  third  grade  in  the  ministry;  and,  between 
1817  and  1825,  quite  a  number  of  United 
Brethren  ministers  were  ordained  to  the  office 

but  did  not  find  bim  until  he  went  under  the  water,  so  tbat  was  the 
only  true  waj^  and  there  is  no  other,  through  which  to  obtain  re- 
ligion. At  one  tinae,  when  arguing  in  favor  of  his  idea  with  Chris- 
topher Grosh,  the  latter  told  him  that  '  he  knew  a  man  who  had 
been  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  sins,  and  went  about  from  place 
to  place,  seeking  the  Lord  in  prayer,  just  as  he  had  done.  At  one 
time  this  person  was  in  his  barn  on  his  knees,  when  it  came  into 
his  mind,  that  he  should  go  up  into  the  garret  in  his  house  to  pray. 
Following  the  impression,  he  arose  from  his  knees— left  the  barn — 
went  into  the  house — and  in  the  act  of  going  up  the  stairs,  bcfoi-e 
reaching  the  garret,  his  soul  was  set  at  liberty.  This  proves,'  con- 
tinued Grosh,  '  that  a  person  can  be  converted  without  immersion; 
but  it  does  not  prove  that  every  one  who  would  enter  the  kingdom, 
must  literally  climb  a  ladder.'  " 


UNITE!?    BEETHKEN    IN    CHEIST.     159 

of  deacon.  This  practice  was  discontinued 
also.  The  resolution  which  was  called  forth 
by  the  election  of  a  new  superintendent,  H. 
Kumler,  sen.,  covered  the  whole  ground.  It 
reads  as  follows: — 

"Resolved,  That  as  the  newly-elected  bishop 
has  already  been  ordained  by  the  imposition 
of  hands  as  an  elder  in  the  church,  a  second 
ordination  is  not  deemed  essential  to  the  duties 
of  a  bishop ;  nor  do  we  find  a  scriptural  prec- 
edent for  a  second  or  a  third  ordination." 

Thus,  after  a  brief  divergence  toward  epis- 
copal errors,  the  United  Brethren  wisely  re- 
turned to  the  plain  path. 

3.  The  itineracy.  Two  measures  were  adopt- 
ed, having  an  important  bearing  on  the  itin- 
eracy. 1.  The  conferences  were  required  to 
elect  presiding  elders  who  should  continually 
travel  their  districts,  and  receive  an  equal 
salary  with  the  other  itinerant  preachers. 
2.  It  was  voted  that  a  public  collection  be 
lifted  once  a  year  at  each  appointment  of 
every  circuit,  for  the  support  of  the  superin- 
tendents or  bishops ;  and  also,  that  a  bishop,  if 
he  be  a  married  man,  should  receive  no  more 
than  $160  per  annum;  if  single,  no  more  than 
$80.  This  was  the  maximum  of  salary  al- 
lowed to  the  other  traveling  preachers.     Hith- 


160  HISTORY    OF    THE 

erto  the  presiding  elders  had  been  elected 
from  among  the  local  preachers ;  and,  in  most 
cases,  as  many  presiding  elders  were  elected 
as  there  were  circuits;  and  this  plan  had 
worked  well.  It  had  its  advantages;  but  the 
time  had  come  when  a  more  thorough  and 
energetic  superintendence  of  the  rapidly-en* 
larging  circuits  and  missions  was  demanded. 
The  conferences  did  not  all  find  it  practicable 
to  adopt  the  new  plan  at  once;  but  it  was 
introduced  gradually,  and  the  presiding  elders 
in  all  the  conferences  became  regular  and 
efficient  itinerants.  Up  to  this  time,  also,  the 
bishops  had  labored  almost  without  any  salary, 
and  no  systematic  plan  of  support  had  been 
adopted.  Otterbein's  few  wants  had  been  met 
by  the  church  in  Baltimore.  Boehm  sup- 
ported himself  from  his  farm.  T^ewcomer, 
who  has  never  been  excelled  as  an  itinerant, 
sustained  himself  fi'om  his  own  means.  Hoff- 
man, who  also  gave  himself  wholly  to  the 
work,  lived  mainly  upon  his  own  resources.  It 
is  plain,  however,  that  an  efficient  superintend- 
ency  can  not  be  ensured  without  pecuniary 
cost;  and  the  measures  adopted  in  1825, 
added  materially  to  the  efficiency  of  the 
itinerant  system. 

4.  Leading  questions  to  candidates  for  the  mifn- 


UXITED    BEETHKEX    IX    CHRIST.     161 

istry.  The  lecading  questions  to  be  answered 
by  candidates  for  the  ministry  were  revised, 
and  some  slight  changes  made.  We  insert 
them  as  revised: 

Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  as 
a  sin-pardoning  God,  and  have  you  obtained 
the  forgiveness  of  your  sins? 

Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is  the 
love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the 
Holy  Spirit? 

Do  you  follow  after  holiness? 

Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word 
of  God,  and  that  therein  only  is  contained  the 
true  way  to  our  soul's  salvation? 

Upon  what  is  this  belief  founded  ? 

What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permis- 
sion to  preach  the  Gospel? 

What  is  your  knowledge  of  faith,  of  repent- 
ance, of  justification,  sanctification,  and  re- 
demption. 

Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation 
of  your  fellow-mortals  lie  nearer  your  heart, 
than  all  other  things  in  the  world? 

Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the  counsel 
of  your  brethren?  Will  you  be  obedient  and 
ready  to  speak  or  hold  your  peace,  as  your 
brethren  may  think  fit  or  expedient? 

Are   you   willing,   as   much   as   is   in   your 

Vol.  II.— 11. 


162  HISTORY    OP    THE 

power,  to  assist  in  upholding  the  itinerant 
plan,  and  support  the  same  as  much  as  pos- 
sible? 

5.  Fraternal  intercourse.  An  effort  was 
made  by  this  conference  to  renew  the  frater- 
nal intercourse  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  which  had  been  abruptly  broken  off 
oome  years  previously.  Accordingly  Henry 
Kumler,  sen,,  and  John  McNamar,  were  de- 
puted to  the  Ohio  M.  E.  conference,  Christ- 
ian Newcomer  and  John  Hildt,  to  the  Bal- 
timore, and  H,  G.  Spayth  and  Joseph  Hoff- 
man, to  the  Pittsburg.  To  this  well-meant 
effort,  as  might  have  been  expected,  there 
was  no  response.  Rapidly-growing  churches 
sometimes  forget  even  the  courtesies  due  to 
other  Christian  bodies,  and  regard  as  of  no 
account  whatever  those  kindly  interchanges  of 
fraternal  recognition  between  sister  denomina- 
tions which  are  both  pleasant  and  profitable, 

5.  The  Englisli.  A  resolution  was  adopted 
in  reference  to  the  English  language,  which 
serves  as  an  important  way-mark.  It  reads 
thus:  "Resolved  that,  if  necessary,  an  English 
as  well  as  a  German  secretary  shall  be 
elected  at.  any  annual  conference."  "If  nec- 
essary"— this  word  expresses  a  great  deal. 
The  English  language  was  making  its  way 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     163 

into  the  church,  in  the  west  mainly.  The 
discipline  issued  by  the  first  general  con- 
ference was  printed  in  the  Grerman  langTiage 
only.  Between  1813  and  1821,  a  few  English 
preachers  were  admitted,  and  at  the  general 
conference  of  1821,  two  of  the  number,  Mc- 
Xamar  and  Havens,  took  their  seats  as  del- 
egates from  the  Miami  conference.  Others 
there  w^ere  in  that  general  conference,  who 
could  preach  in  the  English  language,  but  the 
Grerman  was  their  mother  tongue.  The  Ger- 
man brethren,  however,  were  not  unwilling 
to  extend  to  the  English  a  friendly  hand, 
and  therefore  they  ordered  that  the  discipline 
of  1821  should  be  printed  in  both  languages; 
and  so  it  appeared — the  left  side  of  each  page 
German,  the  right  side  English. 

Again,  in  1825  two  English  delegates,  N. 
Havens  and  W.  Steward,  took  their  seats  in  the 
general  conference ;  and  by  that  time,  although 
the  business  of  all  the  conferences  was  done 
chiefly  in  German,  the  English  interest  had 
become  sufficiently  important,  in  some  of  the 
conferences,  to  render  it  advisable  to  make  an 
English  as  well  as  a  German  record.  For 
years,  during  the  period  of  transition  from 
the  German  to  the  English  language,  the 
discipline  was   printed   in   the   manner  indi- 


164  HISTORY    OF    THE 

cated,  and  some  of  the  conference  journals 
(the  Miami  for  instance)  were  written  in  the 
same  manner. 

6.  The  Communion.  On  this  subject  the  fol 
lowing  question  and  answer  were  adopted: 

Quest.  Who  shall  partake  of,  and  whom 
shall  we  invite  and  admit  to  the  Lord's  supper? 

Ans.  First,  all  true  Christians;  and  sec- 
ondly, all  who  are  penitent,  seeking  the  sal- 
vation of  their  souls. 

7.  Division  of  the  Miami  conference.  Up  to 
1824  the  parent  conference  of  the  west,  the 
Miami,  extended  from  the  Muskingum  river, 
in  Ohio,  to  Harrison  Co.,  Indiana.  It  was 
divided  into  seven  presiding  elder's  districts, 
described  in  the  journal  as  follows: — 1.  In- 
diana, consisting  of  Union  and  Whitewater 
circuits,  including  Indiana  to  the  Ohio  state 
line.  2.  Dover,  bounded  eastward  by  the  Big 
Miami  and  the  state  road  from  Franklin  to 
Eaton.  3.  Grermantown,  extending  north  to 
Greenville,  Darke  Co.,  0.  4.  Miami,  extend- 
ing from  the  Big  Miami  to  the  Black  Swamp. 
5.  Washington,  from  the  Black  Swamp  to  the 
Scioto  river.  6.  Circleville,  from  the  Scioto  to 
the  Hocking  river.  7.  New  Lancaster,  from 
the  Hocking  to  the  Muskingum. 

On  the  11th  of  June,  1824,  this  old  confer- 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     165 

ence  of  the  west  convened  at  Bookwalter's, 
in  Ross  Co.,  0.,  to  hold  its  last  united  ses- 
sion. In  the  same  county,  and  near  the  same 
place,  it  had  held  its  first  session,  in  1810.  The 
blessing  of  Grod  upon  fourteen  years  of  per- 
severing work,  had  given  to  the  conference 
considerable  strength,  and  the  wilderness  was 
beginning  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  Early  in 
the  session  the  subject  of  a  division  of  the 
conference  was  introduced,  and  it  was  "voted 
that  the  Miami  conference  should  be  divided, 
and  that  the  Black  Swamp  should  be  the 
dividing  line;  provided  that  the  same  shall 
be  sanctioned  by  general  conference.  Voted, 
also,  that  the  western  part  shall  retain  the 
name  of  the  Miami  conference,  and  that  the 
eastern  part  shall  be  called  Scioto."  The  gen- 
eral conference  sanctioned  the  action  of  the 
Miami  conference. 

7.  Bisho])s.  On  balloting,  it  appeared  that 
Christian  Newcomer  and  Henry  Kumler  had 
received  the  greatest  number  of  votes;  and 
they  were  declared  superintendents. 

The  year  1825  is  marked  by  the  decease 
of  two  more  of  the  venerable  German  fathers, 
Abraham  Draksel,  and  John  Gr.  Pfrimmer.. 
The  character  and  labors  of  these  distinguished 
servants  of  God  are  noticed  at  length  in  the 


166  HISTORY    OF    THE 

first  volume  of  this  history;  also  the  deceam 
of  Mr.  Draksel.* 

Mr.  Pfrimmer,  the  pioneer  of  the  church 
in  Indiana,  died  at  his  home,  near  Corydon, 
in  Harrison  Co.,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of 
his  age,  having  spent,  in  the  ministry,  thirty- 
five  years.  In  1824  he  visited  his  brethren 
in  the  east,  and  attended  the  conference  which 
met  at  Petersburg,  where  he  preached  the  or- 
dination sermon  from  Rom.  12 :  1,  2.  The 
May  following  he  attended  the  general  con- 
ference which  met  in  Tuscarawas  Co.,  0., 
where  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  business, 
"appeared  in  good  health,  and  preached  with 
his  accustomed  clearness  and  power." 

After  the  conference  adjourned,  and  he  re- 
turned to  Indiana,  he  expressed  the  convic- 
tion that  his  "race  was  run,"  and  that,  using 
his  own  words,  he  was  "soon  going  to  join 
the  great  assembly  in  heaven."  As  the  time 
of  his  departure  approached,  the  peculiar  force 
of  his  sermons  was,  if  possible,  intensified,. 
To  Henry  Bonebrake  he  declared  that  his 
hope  in  the  Redeemer  was  unshaken,  and 
that  it  afibrded  him  great  joy  as  his  end 
drew  near."  While  he  was  uttering  these 
words,"  says  Mr.  B.,  "his  countenance  beamed 

*  Pages  267—271. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    167 

as  with  a  light  which  was  visible  upon  him 
in  death." 

On  the  28th  of  November  1826,  Abraham 
Mayer  departed  this  life,  in  the  64th  year  of 
his  age.  He  had  been  a  faithful  minister 
thirty  years.  He  was  born  in  Cumberland 
Co.,  Pa., —  a  county  which  has  furnished  a 
large  quota  of  efficient  United  Brethren  min- 
isters,— joined  the  church,  and  commenced 
preaching  in  1796.  His  house  was  a  preach- 
ing place  for  many  years,  and  many  great 
meetings  were  held  there,  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  church,  in  times  which  tried  men's 
souls.  His  hospitality  knew  no  bounds.  He 
was  also  a  faithful  preacher,  never  shrink- 
ing from  any  duty  required  at  his  hands. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  first  general  con- 
ference, and  of  the  fourth,  which  met  in  1825, 
a  little  more  than  a  year  prior  to  his  de- 
mise. 

In  person  he  was  prepossessing,  in  dress 
a  Mennonite,  in  heart  and  life  an  Israelite 
indeed.  He  possessed  a  strong  and  cultivated 
mind.  In  prayer  he  had  power  with  God; 
in  preaching  he  was  stern  in  reproof,  and 
uncompromising  in  his  dealings  with  sin,  re- 
minding one  of  Elisha  the  prophet.  He  loved 
the  cause  of  the  divine  Master,  and  adorned 


168  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

it  with  a  most  exemplary  and  holy  life,  giving 
much  of  his  time  to  preaching,  and  of  his 
substance  to  raise  and  build  up  the  church, 
of  which  he  was  a  father.*  The  following 
pleasing  incident  in  his  life,  with  the  accom- 
panying reflections,  are  from  Mr.  Spayth : — 

"In  1813,  when  within  four  or  five  miles 
of  an  appointment  which  had  been  announced 
for  him,  he  inquired  at  a  respectable  farm- 
house, the  road  and  the  distance  to  Mr.  K.'s. 
The  lady  of  the  house,  after  giving  him  the 
desired  information,  wished  to  know  whether 
he  was  the  minister  who  was  expected  to 
preach  at  Mr.  K.'s.  He  replied  in  the  affirm- 
ative. 

"  'But,'  said  sKe,  'you  do  not  look  like  ouy 
ministers, — what  church  do  you  belong  to?' 

"  'United  Brethren/  he  replied. 

"She  understood  him  to  say  ^Converted 
Brethren,'  and  re]3eating  the  word  to  her 
husband,  she  said,  'who  ever  heard  of  the 
Converted  Brethren  church?'  'You  may 
have  misunderstood  the  man,'  suggested  the 
husband.  'No,'  she  insisted,  'he  certainly 
said  he  belonged  to  the  Converted  Brethren.' 
" 'Now'^  said  she,  'this  is  very  strange;  sup- 
pose  we   go   to   the   meeting,' — and    so   they 

*  Spayth,p.  172. 


UNITED    BKETHREX    IN    CHRIST.     169 

went.  The  lady  said  she  was  resolved  to  hear 
what  a  converted  preacher  would  preach,  ex- 
pecting to  hear  something  either  to  amuse  or 
to  ridicule.  But  conviction  ensued  tVoin  what 
she  heard,  and  the  word  converted  rang  in 
her  ears  all  the  while,  and  resulted  in  the 
conversion  of  herself,  her  husband,  and  of 
many  in  their  neighborhood.  And  yet  this 
man  and  his  wife,  had,  in  their  youth,  been 
catechised  and  confirmed.  This  is  but  a 
case  out  of  a  thousand,  where  under  cate- 
chetical instructions  and  trainings,  the  youth- 
fid  subjects,  nevertheless,  remain  in  jDrofound 
ignorance  of  the  cause,  the  nature,  and  the 
necessity  of  the  neyv  birth,  and  as  ignorant 
of  the  truth  of  the  converting  power  of  God, 
by  a  happy  experience,  as  if  it  were  no  part 
of  the  doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ.  0  ye  pastorsy 
is  it  2>ossibIe  tliat  the  hungry  sheep  look  up,  and 
are  not  fed  T^ 

Coine  to  Calvary's  holy  mountain. 

Sinners  rained  by  the  fall ! 
Here  a  pure  and  healing  fountain. 

Flows  to  you — to  me — to  all — 
In  a  full  perpetual  tide. 
Opened  when  the  Savior  died. 


170  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SECRET   SOCIETIES — GEN.  CONFERENCE  OF  1829. 

"From  the  very  commencement,  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ  discountenanced 
secret  societies,  and  refused  to  receive  mem- 
bers of  such  societies,  however  unexception- 
able in  every  other  respect,  into  the  church, 
except  on  one  condition,  viz.,  separation  from 
such  orders.  *  *  We  do  not  wish  to 
magnify  ourselves  against  any  association  of 
men,  but  it  is  sufficient  for  us  to  know 
that  a  Christian  church  is  one  thing,  and  a 
secret  society  quite  another.  Neither  the 
men  belonging  to  such  an  order,  nor  the 
order  itself,  could  suffigr  loss  by  being  con- 
nected with  a  Christian  church.  But  not  so 
with  the  church  and  its  connection  with 
secret  combinations.  Every  such  connection 
has  proved  a  hurt,  and  a  deadly  wound.  It 
is  to  such  churches  as  the  leprosy  of  Ge- 
hazi.  We  have  not  coveted  the  Syrian's 
silver  nor    changes    of    garments,  and  saved 


UNITED    BRETHEEX    IN    CHRIST.     171 

the  church!"  These  are  the  well-weighed 
words  of  one  of  the  fathers  in  the  United 
Brethren  ministry.*  Another  of  the  German 
fathers  says  that  "Anti-Masonic  principles 
in  our  church  are  coeval  with  her  exist- 
ence." One  of  the  early  English  ministerst 
says:  "Thirty-six  years  ago  I  foolishly  join- 
ed the  Masonic  fraternity,  for  Avliich  I  was 
soon  expelled  fi'om  the  church.  I  approve 
the  act;  for  I  soon  learned  that  the  oaths 
and  obligations  of  the  order  were  contrary 
to  God's  wordj  and  anti-Christian  in  their 
tendency." 

While  the  church  was  confined  mainly  to 
the  German  communities,  the  seductions  of 
secrecy  had  little  or  no  influence  upon  it.  We 
have  obtained  the  name  of  but  one  minis- 
ter in  the  East  (there  may  have  been 
others  however),  who  became  a  Freemason, 
previous  to  1826.  John  Brown,  a  young 
minister .  of  much  promise,  who  had  a  fine 
command  of  both  the  German  and  the  En- 
glish languages,  of  Irish  ancestry,  on  the  fa- 
ther's side,  in  an  evil  hour,  and  under  the 
pressure  of  severe  trials,  occasioned  by  the 
meager  support  which  he  received,  was  in- 
duced to    take    several    degrees   of    Freema- 

»  H.  G.  Spaj-th.  t  J.  A.  Ball. 


172  HISTORY    OF    THE 

sonry.  He  had  not  gone  far,  however,  until 
he  had  reason  to  repent.  The  work  of  the 
order  had  in  it  nothing  congenial  to  his  re- 
ligious spirit;  he  saw  much  that  he  was 
obliged  to  condemn ;  and,  worse  than  all, 
he  had  crippled  his  influence  as  a  minister 
of  Jesus  Christ;  even  the  promised  worldly 
advantages,  which  had  been  held  up  to  his 
eyes  to  lure  him  into  the  fraternity,  disap- 
peared. He  repented  heartily,  and  was  for- 
given ;  but  his  religious  character  had  re- 
ceived a  shock  from  which  it  never  recov- 
ered; and  he  deemed  it  best  to  withdraw 
from   the   church. 

But  it  was  in  the  Miami  conference, 
where  quite  a  number  of  English  ministers 
had  been  received,  that  the  severest  conflict 
with  this  wily  foe  was  experienced.  'At  the 
annual  session  of  this  conference,  which  met 
on  the  6th  of  June,  1826,  the  character  of 
Alfred  Carder  was  arrested,  on  his  examin- 
ation, because  he  had  attended  a  Masonic 
lodge.  After  considerable  debate,  on  the 
first  day  of  the  session,  the  case  was  laid 
over  until  the  succeeding  day,  when  a  vote 
was  taken,  strongly  disapproving  of  Mr. 
Carder's  course.  After  further  examination, 
by  calling  the  roll,   and  asking  each  mem- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     173 

ber  whether  or  not  he  was  a  Freemason,  it 
appeared  that  two  other  ministers  of  the 
conference  had  been  drawn  into  the  mystic 
brotherhood,  viz.,  John  McNamar  and  Aaron 
Farmer.  These  ministers,  with  Mr.  Carder, 
were  among  the  most  influential  members 
of  the  conference.  On  the  third  day  of  the 
session  (June  8th,  1826),  after  a  thorough 
discussion  of  the  subject,  the  conference 
adopted  the  following  paper  by  a  unanimous 
vote: 

"Whereas,  we  have  members  in  this  con 
ference  who  belong  to  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
therefore  we  feel  a  disposition  to  bear  with 
them,  and  deal  with  them  as  brethren,  so 
long  as  they  do  not  attend  Masonic  lodges ; 
*  *  but  if  any  of  our  brethren  should- 
hereafter  join  said  fraternity,  they  shall  not 
only  be  deprived  of  the  privilege  of  taking 
charge  of  a  circuit,  or  of  holding  any  au- 
thority in  an  official  capacity,  but  they  shall 
thereby  expel  themselves  from  the  connec- 
tion. No  preacher  shall  encourage  any  of 
our  menibers  in  joining  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, nor  those  who  are  Masons  in  joining 
our   society." 

It  was   also    provided    that  a   circular  be 
sent    through    the   connection,  as    far    as    it 


174  HISTORY    OP    THE 

might  be  thought  necessary,  containing  this 
action,  together  with  the  vote  of  the  pre- 
vious day  in  relation  to  attending  Masonic 
lodges. 

This  paper  was  adopted,  it  should  be  no- 
ticed, several  inontlis  before  the  first  whisper  of 
the  Morgan  Bevelations  was  heard;  and  when 
Masonry  was  a  numerous  and  powerful  as- 
sociation, with  one  or  more  lodges  in  every 
city  in  the  United  States.  It  was  in  the 
autumn  following  the  action  of  the  confer- 
ence which  we  have  recorded,  that  it  became 
known  that  William  Morgan  was  about  to 
publish  a  volume  exposing  the  secrets  of 
Freemasonry.*  This  fact  at  once  and  forever 
extinguishes  the  idea,  recently  'pnt  forth,  that 
the  opposition  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  to  Freemasonry  grew  out  of  the  Mor- 
gan excitement. 

All  the  members  of  the  conference,  then 
numbering  sixty-two,  including  those  who 
had  joined  the  Masons,  appeared  heartily  to 
endorse  the  action  taken.  John  McNamar 
made  no  defense  of  the  institution;  and, 
during  the  remainder  of  his  eminently  use- 
ful life,  he  stood  firmly  uj)on  the  ground  oc- 

*  New  American  Cyclopedia,  Vol.  I.,  Article,  Anti-Masonry, 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    175 

cupied   by  the   church,    never  betraying  the 
confidence  his  brethren  reposed  in  him. 

Aaron  Farmer,  a  younger  man,  had  been 
decoyed  into  the  lodge  by  persons  who  pro- 
fessed a  very  high  appreciation  of  his  tal- 
ents, who  expressed  sympathy  for  his  hard 
lot  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  and  who  will- 
ingly paid  his  admission  fee.  He  was  as- 
sured that  there  was  nothing  in  the  insti- 
tution which  would  interfere  with  his  duty 
to  his  church,  his  covmtry,  or  his  Grod;  and 
that,  on  the  other  hand,  it  would  raise  him 
ujD  hosts  of  friends  who  would  defend  him 
when  in  danger,  and  assist  him  when  in 
want.  With  many  misgivings  he  had  con- 
sented that  his  name  should  be  presented, 
and  in  due  time  he  had  appeared  at  the 
lodge-room,  and  was  initiated.  "I  then,"  to 
use  his  own  words,  "became  a  backslider 
in  heart,  and,  for  a  period,  kept  up  the 
form  of  godliness,  without  enjoying  its  j)ower. 
Alarmed  at  the  profanity  of  the  initiatory 
oaths,  ashamed  of  the  ridiculous  work  of  the 
lodge-room,  and  afraid  to  confess  my  error, 
and  thus  bring  upon  myself  the  displeasure 
of  the  order, ^  stood  for  a  time  confounded, 
unable  to  decide  what  to  do."  At  this  junc- 
ture the   conference  convened,  and  its  decis- 


176  HISTORY    OF    THE 

ive  action  aided  him  in  reaching  a  safe 
conclusion.  Some  time  after  the  conference 
he  severed  the  mystic  bonds  which  he  had 
so  uneasily  worn,  and  became  a  free  man 
again.  "/  resolved,''^  said  he,  "to  break  the 
unholy  alliance,  and  be  at  'peace  with  God." 
This  resolution  he  executed  with  his  char- 
acteristic energy.  Subsequently  he  traveled 
extensively,  and  lectured  to  crowded  aud- 
iences, exposing  the  secrets  of  Freemasonry, 
and  proving  that  the  institution  is  unworthy 
the  confidence  of  honest  men.  His  lectures 
upon  this  subject  created  great  excitement; 
and  he  was  abused  and  threatened  in  the 
usual  style;  yet,  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
he  swerved  not  from  his  testimony.  At  the 
last  conference  which  he  attended,  at  Cory- 
don,  Indiana,  he  spoke  earnestly  upon  the 
subject,  recurring,  with  tears,  to  his  former 
painful  experience  of  the  wickedness  of  the 
system,  and  beseeching  the  brethren  never 
to  swerve  from  the  position  they  had  taken. 
With  Alfred  Carder  the  case  was  quite 
different.  He  had  yielded  to  the  decision 
of  the  conference  a  formal,  and,  apparently, 
honest  assent;  but  his  hearPwas  not  di- 
vorced from  the  fraternity,  and  he  did  not 
lulfill  his  implied   pledges.     He  soon  began 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST,     177 

to  speak  disrespectfully  of  the  conference 
and  of  the  church ;  and,  as  he  was  a  shrewd 
man,  he  gave  the  Brethren  much  pain.  The 
wicked,  and  especially  the  Freemasons,  en- 
joyed his  thrusts  at  the  church,  appreciated 
his  society,  and  flattered  his  wit  and  talents. 
At  the  next  session  of  the  conference  his 
name  was  erased  from  the  minutes ;  and 
by  this  time  he  had  become  a  Universalist, 
and  was,  soon  after,  employed  to  preach  that 
heresy  in  Miamisburg,  0.     Over  the  remain- 

;j :-  der  of  his  life  let  charity  throw  a  vail. 

At  the  conference  in  the  East,  which  met 
in  April,  1827,  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted :  "  Resolved,  That  we,  the  mem- 
bers of  this  annual  conference,  do  not  ap- 
prove of  any  of  our  preachers  or  members 
belonging  to  the  order  of  Freemasons ;  and 
that,   in    future,    every  preacher,    and    every 

i|  member,  who  is  connected  with  this  order, 
or  who  joins  it,  shall  lose  membership  in 
our  church." 

The  United  Brethren  were  not  influenced  by 
prejudice,  but  by  reason,  in  reaching  the  grave 
conclusion  just  noticed.  In  the  first  place,  they 
could  never  see  why  any  good  society  should 
be  secret.  They  reasoned  thus:  If  there  is 
any  thing  good  in  Freemasonry,  or  other  se- 
VoL.  II.— 12. 


178  HISTOEY    OF    Titi: 

cret  order,  the  j^ublic  need  not  be  kept  in 
ignorance  of  it ;  if  there  is  any  thing  bad, 
the  vail  of  secrecy  shoukl  not  shield  it  from 
reprobation.  They  also  believed  that  secrecy, 
as  a  principle,  does  not  need  culture ;  that 
a  frank,  open-hearted  spirit  is  more  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  genius  of  the  Christian 
religion;  that  error  and  crime,  not  truth  and 
goodness,  naturally  seek  the  night  and  the 
darkness.*  Jesus,  our  exemplar,  says :  "  I 
spake  openly  to  the  world,  and  in  secret  have 
I   said  nothing." 

The  claims  of  Freemasonry  upon  the  time 

*  Some  remarks  by  the  late  Horace  Mann,  one  "of  the  most  clear- 
headed men  of  his  age,  corroborate  this  view.  He  aays  :  "'  It  seems 
to  me  that  all  the  higher  and  nobler  instincts  of  mankind  are 
adverse  to  such  associations.  In  all  ages  openness,  frankness, 
artlessness,  sincerity,  candor,  or  by  whatever  other  name  the  free 
and  true  expression  of  a  man's  conscientiousness  may  be  indicated, 
have  always  commanded  the  admiration  of  men  ;  while  secrecy, 
disguise,  concealment,  or  a  disposition  to  hide  one's  thoughts  and 
purposes  from  his  fellow-men,  have  been  regarded  with  strong  re- 
pugnance and  condemnation.  *  *  Why  do  all  languages  ascribe 
an  open  countenance  to  a  brave  and  high-souled  man,  but  a  close, 
shy,  disguised,  secretive  one  to  villains  ?  *  *  One  man  we  call 
open,  frauk,  transparent;  having  a  window  in  his  bosom  through 
which  we  can  read  his  heart ;  with  no  labyrinth  between  his 
breast  and  his  tongue  where  the  truth  gets  lost.  Another  is  se- 
cretive, counterfeit,  buried  in  disguise,  deceptive,  only  half  opening 
iiis  eyes,  so  that  he  n>ay  see  out,  but  no  one  see  in.  *  *  To 
what  class  do  the  secretive  animals  belong — the  fox,  the  tiger,  the 
cat,  the  snake?  Should  brutes  imitate  men,  as  in  jEsop's  time, 
would  not  these  form  the  secret  societies  t"  See  whole  letter  in  Re- 
ligious Tel.,  Vol.  VII.  No.  13. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      179 

and  money  of  Christians  were  regarded  as 
coming  into  conflict  with  the  claims  of  Christ. 
The  Brethren  believed  the  scripture  which 
saith,  "Ye  are  not  your  own,"  and  they  re- 
garded an  entire  consecration  of  soul,  body, 
time,  and  estate  to  Christ,  the  divine  pur- 
chaser, as  their  "reasonable  service.  Hence, 
they  did  not  dare  to  devote  a  large  share 
of  time  and  money  to  a  purely  worldly  in- 
stitution,— an  institution,  to  say  the  least  of 
it,  in  no  way  interested  in,  or  connected  with, 
the  Redeemer's  cause. 

Moreover,  Freemasonry  is  manifestly  of 
the  world.  Its  pretensions  to  divine  origin 
are  too  ridiculous  to  be  entertained  by  any 
serious  mind.  But  Christ's  disciples  are  com- 
manded to  "  come  out  from  the  world" — to 
"  be  separate" — to  "  be  not  conformed  to  the 
world" — to  seek  not  its  "friendship,"  on 
peril  of  losing  the  friendship  of  God.  There- 
fore, the  Brethren  stood  aloof  from  Free- 
masonry, and  from  similar  worldly  societies. 
The  passage,  "Be  ye  not  unequally  yoked 
with  unbelievers;  for  what  fellowship  hath 
righteousness  with  unrighteousness?  and  what 
communion  hath  light  with  darkness?  and 
what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial  ?  or 
what   part  hath  he    that  believeth   with  an 


180  HISTORY    OF    THE 

infidel?"  they  regarded  as  conclusively  pro- 
hibitive of  a  Christian's  connection  with  se- 
cret societies.  Its  aj^plication  to  kindred  as- 
sociations existing  in  the  times  of  the  apos- 
tles, is,  we  believe,  generally  conceded. 

Again,  the  oaths  exacted  by  Freemasonry, 
the  secret  order  after  which  nearly  all  others 
have  been  modeled,  were  a  stumbling-block 
to  them.  Being  largely  made  up  from  the 
good  old  Mennonite  stock,  they  regarded 
swearing,  even  before  the  civil  magistrate,  as 
a  sin.  This  conscientious  regard  for  "yea, 
yea,  and  nay,  nay,"  frequently  involved  the 
early  Brethren  in  difficulties  with  the  civil 
authorities.  About  the  year  1830,  for  exam- 
ple, "a  highly  respectable  citizen  of  Mary- 
land, and  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  was  summoned  as  a  witness  before  a 
court  of  justice.  The  court  refused  to  allow 
him  to  affirm,  and  demanded  that  he  should 
be  sworn.  The  witness  replied  that  his  con- 
science would  not  permit  him  to  swear  the 
oath  required.  The  judge  replied,  that  if  the 
church  of  which  he  was  a  member  had  a  rule 
of  discipline  to  that  effect,  he  would  allow 
him  to  affirm,  if  not,  he  must  swear.  'No  such 
rule  had  been  enacted,  and  the  brother  re- 
fused to  swear.     The  court  was  about  to  com- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     181 

mit  him  for  contumacy,  but  the  counsel  pre- 
vailed upon  him  to  allow  the  brother  to  affirm. 
The  general  conference  of  1833  took  up  the 
subject,  and  embodied  what  had  been  the 
prevailing  sentiment  of  the  church,  in  the 
following  rule: 

"We,  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  do 
believe  that  the  practice  of  swearing,  either 
by  the  Bible,  or  in  the  name  of  Almighty 
God,  is  contrary  to  the  word  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  says.  Swear  7iot  at  all;  and 
that  the  mode  of  testifying  to  the  truth, 
when  required  so  to  do  in  a  legal  form  by 
way  of  affirmation,  is  on  us  solemnly,  con- 
scientiously, and  fully  binding  before  God,  to 
tell  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing 
but  the  truth." 

Entertaining  these  conscientious  views  in 
respect  to  civil  oaths,  administered  by  a  mag- 
istrate, it  was  perfectly  natural  that  United 
Brethren  should  be  repulsed  by  the  horrible 
oaths  administered  in  Masonic  lodges.  When 
required,  as  a  condition  of  admission  to  a 
lodge,  to  solemnly  swear  that  they  would 
''ever  conceal,  and  never  reveal  any  part  or 
parts,  art  or  arts,  point  or  points,  of  the 
secrets,  arts  and  mysteries  of  Freemasonry, — 
that  they  would  not  write,  print,  stamp,  stain, 


182  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

cut,  carve,  indent,  paint,  or  engrave  them — 
so  as  to  make  the  most  intimate  friend  ac- 
quainted with  them,  under  no  less  a  penalty 
than  to  have  their  'throats  cut  across,'  their 
'tongues  torn  out  by  the  roots,'  and  their  dead 
bodies  'buried  in  the  rough  sands  of  the 
sea,'  "  they  wisely  shrank  back  in  horror  and 
disgust.  A  man  who  takes  the  entered  ap- 
prentices' oath,*  and  the  other  oaths  admin- 
istered at  each  new  degree,  must  acquire  a 
wonderful  facility  in  hard  swearing. 

But  they  did  not  confine  their  reprobation 
to  secret  oath-hound  societies.  They  regarded 
the  promise,  whether  with  an  oath  or  upon 
honor,  "not  to  make  known  matters  which 
were  to  be  subsequently  communicated;  or  to 
obey  a  code  of  laws  with  which  they  were  not 
acquainted,"  as  a  sinful  promise,  because  they 
could  not  be  sure  that  the  law  of  God,  which 
is  above  all  human  laws,  and  all  obligations 
to  human  organizations,  would  not  require 
them  to  divulge  those  very  matters.  Such 
cases  have  occurred.^ 

*  See  Bernard's  Light  on  Masonry,  page  27. 

t  Elder  David  Bernard  was  brought  by  his  conscience  to  this  very 
point.  He  says  : — "  Are  the  oaths  of  Freemasonry  then  congenial  to 
the  duties  which  I  owe  to  God  and  my  fellow-men  ?  If  they  are,  I  most 
certainly  am  bound  to  keep  them  ;  if  not,  to  break  them.  But  Free- 
masonry, as  a  system,  is  dark,  unfruitful,  selfish,  demoralizing,  blas- 
phemous, murderous,  anti-republican,  and  anti-Christian — opposed  to 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.    183 

And  they  could  not  be  certain  that  the 
unknown  laws  of  the  secret  fraternity  would 
not  come  into  conflict  with  the  laws  of  God, 
and  hence,  if  obeyed,  involve  them  in  sin. 
They  regarded  such  oaths  and  promises  as 
also  "ensnaring  and  enslaving  to  the  con- 
science" and  as  making  themselves,  in  real- 
ity, the  servants  of  men.  It  is  true,  that  the 
advocates  of  secret  societies  endeavor  to  evade 
the  force  of  these  objections  by  saying  that 
before  the  oath  or  promise  is  administered, 
the  candidate  is  informed  that  there  is  noth- 
ing in  the  institution  which  will  require  him 
to  violate  his  duties  to  himself,  his  country, 
■or  his  GocL  But  by  ^vhom  is  this  assur- 
ance given?  By  men,  to  say  the  least,  fal- 
lible men;  and  in  the  nature  of  the  case 
they  can  not  know  that  such  is  the  fact. 
When  they  give  this  assurance  to  a  candi- 
date they  only  give  their  opinion;  and  it 
may  be  an  erroneous  one.  What  folly,  then, 
for  a  man  who  is  responsible  to  God,  whose 
conscience  should  remain  perfectly  free,  and 
whose  tongue    should    be    ever    unloosed    to 

,the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good  of  inankiud ;  and  heuce,  in  bursting 
asunder  the  bonds  of  the  fraternity,  and  publishing  their  secrets  to 
the  world,  I  am  doing  no  more  than  is  required  by  the  principles  of 
moral  obligation,  and  fulfilling  the  duties;  which  I  owe  to  God  and 
tuy  fellow  men." 


184  HISTORY    OF    THE 

speak  for  tlie  right,  to  bind  his  conscience  to 
a  secret  order,  and  allow  that  order  to  tie 
his  tongue,  in  respect  to  acts  of  the  greatest 
importance,  until  that  tongue  shall  be  pal- 
sied in  death!  The  consciences  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  could  not  endure  such 
oaths  or  promises. 

Moreover,  the  fact  that  Freemasonry,  the  se- 
cret society  generally  known  during  the  period 
under  consideration,  ignores  the  divine  claims 
of  Jesus,  and  places  his  holy  religion  on 
a  level  with  Judaism,  Mohammedanism  and 
Deism,  could  not  fail  to  repel  the  Brethren, 
to  whom  Jesus  was  the  Alpha  and  the 
Omega.  How  could  they  fraternize  with  those 
who  reject  the  Lord,  or  who  follow  the  false 
prophet;  and  how  could  they  find  it  in  their 
hearts  purposely  to  omit  the  name  of  Jesus 
in  their  prayers?* 

*  The  proof  that  Masonry  does  exclude  the  name  of  Jesus  from  its 

prayers  is  abundant.      Th«  following  correspondence,  copied  from  the 

Mirror  and  Keystone,  a  Masonic  publication,  issued  at  Philadelphia,  is 

iu  point : — 

Terse  Haute,  Ind.,  June  15th,  1859. 

Deae  Sia  AND  Brother  : — It  would  give  me  and  a  goodly  number  of 

l>rethreu  great  pleasure,  if  you  would  discuss,  in  your  valuable  and 

wide-spread  Mirror  and  Keystone,  the  following  question  :  Is  it  Masonic 

to  have  a  strictly  Christian  prayer  at  opening  and  closing  a  lodge, — such 

a  prayer  as  all  Masons  can  not  conscientiously  join  ?     I  suppose  you 

have  answered  this  question  often,  but  not  in  your  paper  since  I  be- 

o.ime  a  reader  of  it.     The  circumstances  which  cause  me  to  ask  this 

question  are  these.     Several  of  our  brethren,  who  are  Christian  minis- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     185 

Finally,  a  most  weighty  reason  for  the 
position  taken  by  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  in  regard  to  ~  these  societies  is  this, 
that  in  no  other  way  can  the  church  pre- 
serve its  independence.  A  church,  they  be- 
lieve, should  suifer  no  bands  of  servitude  to 
be  placed  upon  her  neck,  whereby  her  free- 
dom would  be  compromised.  She  is  to  be 
God's  untrammeled  servant.     But  it  is  well 

ters,  are,  whenever  present  at  the  opening  or  closing  of  a  lodge,  re- 
quested by  the  W.  M.,  to  offer  prayer,  which  request  they  always  com 
ply  with,  closing  their  prayers  with,  "/"'"  ^^^  ^'^^^  °f  -^esus  Christ," 
etc.,  which  form  of  prayer,  although  obnoxious  to  several  of  the  breth- 
ren of  the  Jewish  faith,  is  still  adhered  to,  in  spite  of  their  protests, 
whenever  one  of  the  minister  brothers  chances  to  be  in  the  lodge  at  the 
opening  and  closing  of  the  same.  Our  Jewish  brethren  contend  that 
the  prayer  in  the  opening  or  closing  is  a  part  of  the  ceremony  of  the 
opening  and  closing  of  a  lodge,  and  as  such  a  Masonic  ceremony,  it 
ought  to  be  Masonic,  i.  e.,  of  universal  application.  I  have  no  doubt, 
sir,  that  you  will  handle  this  question,  which  involves  such  a  great 
Masonic  principle,  with  your  usual  ability,  supported  by  ancient  and 
modern  Masonic  authority. 

REPLY. 

The  question  submitted  to  us  by  our  correspondent,  is  one  that  has 
long  been  settled  by  enlightened  Masonic  opinion,  as  well  as  by  the 
Constitution  of  Masonry  ;  and  the  reverend  brethren,  who,  by  their  in- 
vocations in  a  Masonic  lodge,  address  their  petitions  to  any  other  than 
the  Supreme  Being,  the  creator  of  heaven  and  earth,  violate  the  plain- 
est principles  of  Masonry.  It  is  almost  superfluous  to  reply  to  the 
question,  because  the  prayers  referred  to  conflict  with  the  universality 
of  Masonry,  which  must  be  patent  to  every  Mason  who  has  the  least 
knowledge  of  the  principles  upon  which  the  Masonic  order  is  based. 
*  *  *  All  invocations  in  a  Masonic  lodge  must  be  addressed  to 
God,  and  to  God  only.  Any  thing  that  conflicts  with  the  universality 
of  Masonry  is  wrong. 


186  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

known  that  churches  which  admit  members 
of  secret  orders  to  their  communion,  dare 
not  either  in  the  pulpit  or  through  the 
press  permit  a  decent  freedom  of  opinion 
Every  mouth  must  be  stopped.  Secret  com- 
binations may  drive  away  the  members  of 
the  household  of  faith  from  the  altar  of 
their  own  church,  and  the  minister  from 
the  grave  of  one  of  his  own  people;  and 
yet  not  one  word  of  remonstrance  is  suffered. 
Ministers  in  those  bound  churches  have  been 
heard  to  say, — "We  know  these  societies 
are  wrong,  but  we  dare  not  say  a  word." 
The  Brethren  have  maintained  a  position 
of  independence,  and  may  boldly  utter  their 
honest  convictions  without  asking  permission 
from  a  secret  oath-bound  society.  God  be 
praised  that  this  church  has  never  sub- 
mitted its  neck  to  the  galling  yoke  of 
servitude ! 

In  the  autumn  of  1826,  a  few  months 
only  after  the  Miami  conference  had  adopted 
the  vigorous  measures  to  preserve  the  purity 
of  the  church  to  which  reference  has  been 
made,  it  "became  known  in  the  vicinity  of 
Batavia,  'N.  Y.,  that  William  Morgan,  a 
mechanic  of  that  village,  was  about  to  pub- 
lish  a  volume    exposing  the   secrets   of    the 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    187 

order  of  Freemasons.  While  tlie  rumor 
was  spreading  through  the  adjacent  country, 
the  community  was  electrified  by  tidings 
that  Morgan  had  been  seized  one  evening, 
forcibly  abducted  and  carried  oif,  no  one 
could  say  whither.  Excitement  naturally 
ensued  and  diffused  itself;  committees  of 
vigilance  and  safety  were  formed;  and  an 
investigation  initiated  which  resulted  in  trac- 
ing' the  abductors  and  their  victim  to  west- 
ward  upon  the  Ridge  Road  to  Fort  Niagara, 
near  Lewiston,  N.  Y.,  whence  it  ultimately 
appeared  that  Morgan  had  been  taken  forci- 
bly out  upon  Lake  Ontario  in  a  boat,  and 
sunk  in  its  depths.  The  persons  by  whose 
aid  he  was  rapidly  and  quietly  conveyed,  in 
a  carriage  drawn  by  relays  of  horses,  from 
Batavia  to  Fort  Niagara  (a  distance  of  over 
a  hundred  miles),  were  said  to  have  been 
[and  were]  Masons,  while  members  of  the 
order  on  every  side  were  heard  to  justify 
the  presumed  outrage;  saying  that  if  Morgan 
had  been  treated  as  was  alleged,  it  was  no 
more   than   he   richly  deserved."* 

All  efforts  to  bring  the  murderers  of 
Morgan  to  justice  were  effectually  baffled, 
and    it    was     "judicially  established,   by   the 

N"ew  American  Cyclopedia.    Art.  Anti-Masoory. 


188  HISTORY    OF    THE 

testimony  of  seceding  Masons,  that  oaths 
were  administered  to  and  taken  by  those 
admitted  to  the  Masonic  lodges — at  least  in 
certain  of  the  higher  degrees, — that  disqual- 
ified them  from  serving  as  jurors  in  any 
case  where  a  brother  Mason  of  like  degree 
was  a  party,  and  his  antagonist  was  not. 
The  judges  who  so  decided  were  not  of  the 
anti-masonic  party."*  This  terrible  murder, 
and  its  obstinate  concealment  and  justifica- 
tion, created  great  opposition  to  Freemasonry; 
and  for  a  time  the  whole  country  was 
convulsed  with  excitement.  Many  lodges 
surrendered  their  charters.  Morgan's  Reve- 
elations,  which  cost  him  his  life,  were  pub- 
lished, and  hundreds  of  seceding  Masons,  of 
undisputed  veracity,  testified  to  their  truth- 
fulness. At  one  time  one  hundred  men 
who  had  been  Freemasons,  some  of  them 
far  advanced  in  its  mysteries,  met  at  Le 
Roy,  New  York,  and  adopted  the  following 
declaration : 

"We  are  opposed  to  Freemasonry  because 
we  believe: 

"It  exercises  Jurisdiction  over  the  persons 
and  lives  of   the  citizens  of   this  republic. 

"It  arrogates   to   itself   the  right  of    pun- 

*  New  American   Cyclopedia. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRfST.   189 

ishing  its  members  for  offenses  unknown  to 
the  laws  of   this  or  any  other  nation. 

"It  requires  the  concealment  of  crime, 
and  protects  the  guilty  from   punishment. 

"It  encourages  the  commission  of  crime, 
by  affording  the  guilty  facilities  to  escape. 

"It  affords  opportunities  for  the  corrupt 
and  designing  to  form  plans  against  the 
government,  and  the  Ha'^cs  and  characters 
of  individuals. 

"It  assumes  titles  and  dignities  incompat- 
ible with  a  republican  government,  and  en- 
joins an  obedience  to  them  derogatory  to 
republican  principle. 

"It  destroys  all  principles  of  equality,  by 
bestowing  its  favors  on  its  own  members, 
to  the '  exclusion  of  all  others,  equally  merit- 
orious •  and  deserving. 

"It  creates  odious  aristocracies,  by  its 
obligations  to  support  the  interests  of  its 
members,  in  preference  to  others  of  equal 
qualifications. 

"It  blasphemes  the  name,  and  attempts 
the   personification   of    the   G-reat  Jehovah. 

"It  prostitutes  the  sacred  Scriptures  to 
unholy  purposes  to  subserve  its  own  secular 
and   trifling   concerns. 

"It  weakens  the  sanctions  of  morality  and 


190  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

religion,  by  the  multiplication  of  profane 
oaths  and  immoral  familiarity  with  religious 
forms   and   ceremonies. 

"It  discovers  in  its  ceremonies  an  unholy 
commingling  of  divine  truth  with  impious 
human  inventions. 

"It  destroys  a  veneration  for  religion  and 
religious  ordinances,  by  the  profane  use  of 
religious   forms. 

"It  substitutes  the  self-righteousness  and 
ceremonies  of  Masonry,  for  real  religion  and 
the   ordinances   of    the  gospel. 

"It  promotes  habits  of  idleness  and  in- 
temperance, by  its  members  neglecting  their 
business  to  attend  its  meetings  and  drink 
its   libations. 

"It  accumulates  funds  at  the  expense  of 
indigent  persons,  to  the  distress  of  their 
families,  too  often  to  be  dissipated  in  rioting 
and  pleasure,  and  in  its  ceremonies  and 
exhibitions. 

"It  contracts  the  sympathies  of  the  human 
heart  for  all  the  unfortunate,  by  conferring 
its  charities  to  its  own  members;  and  pro- 
motes the  interest  of  the  few  at  the  expense 
of    the   many." 

This  movement  gave  additional  strength 
to   the  anti-secret    society   sentiment  of   the 


UNITED    BBETHREN     IN     CHRIST.    191 

church;  and,  as  some  difficulty  had  been 
experienced  in  the  west,  the  general  con- 
ference which  convened  in  1829  adopted  the 
following  resolution,  to  be  inserted  as  a  rule 
of  discipline:  "Resolved,  that  in  no  way  or 
manner,  nor  in  any  sense  of  the  word, 
shall  Freemasonry  be  approved  or  tolerated 
in  our  church;  and  that  should  any  mem- 
ber -of  our  church,  who  may  now  be  a 
Freemason,  continue  to  attend  their  lodges, 
or  as  a  Freemason,  attend  and  take  part 
in  their  processions ;  or  if  any  member 
join  the  Freemasons,  such  member,  by  such 
an  act,  excludes  himself  from  membership 
in  our  church." 

This  rule  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
vote  of  the  conference,  and  was  supported 
by  none  more  firmly  than  by  John  McNamar 
and  Aaron  Farmer,  both  members  of  the 
conference,  and  both  practically  acquainted 
with  the  inside  life  and  workings  of  the 
institution.  The  success  with  which  the 
church  has  sustained  this  position  will  be 
noticed  in  subsequent  pages  of  this  work. 

On  the  15th  of  May,  1829,  the  fifth 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE  met  in  Fairfield  Co., 
Ohio.  Members  present: — Christian  New- 
comer and   Henry  Kumler,  bishops. 


192  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Hagerstown  conference: — William  Brown, 
Thomas  Miller,  Henry  Burtner,  John  Zahn, 
Jacob  Erb,  Simon  Dreisback,  John  Hen- 
dricks, Ezekiel  Boring. 

Miami  conference:  —  Henry  Joseph  Fry, 
Andrew  Zeller,  John  'McNamar,  John  Den- 
ham,  Jacob  Flickinger,  John  Fetherhuff,  Geo. 
Bonebrake,  Aaron   Farmer. 

Muskingum  conference: — John  Crum,  'John 
Hildt,  and  John   Bash. 

8cioto  conference: — Joseph  Hoffman,  John 
Coons,  Geo  Benedum,  James  Kinney,  Elijah 
Collins,  James  Boss,  John  Russel.  In  all, 
twenty-eight. 

Several  changes  were  made  in  the  bound- 
aries of  conferences.  A  circuit  had  been 
formed  in  the  Sandusky  country,  which  had 
been  connected  with  the  Scioto  conference. 
It  was  resolved  that  this  circuit  be  attached 
to  the  Musldngum  conference.  The  western 
line  of  the  State  of  Ohio  was  made  the 
western  boundary  of  the  Miami  conference; 
the  church  west  of  that  line  was  constituted 
a   conference,  and  called   Indiana  conference. 

"The  committee  appointed  to  divide  the 
Hagerstown  conference  reported  that  said 
district  shall  in  future  consist  of  Virginia 
and  the    counties  of   Washington  and  Alle- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    193 

ghany  in  Maryland;  and  that  the  remain- 
ing part  of  said  district  shall  constitute  a 
new  one,  to  be  called  Harrisburg  district." 
Subsequently  these  names  were  changed,  the 
former  to  Virginia  and  the  latter  to  Penn- 
sylvania. .  It  was  decided  that  presiding 
elders  should  be  elected  annually.  The  rule 
adopted  in  relation  to  Freemasonry  has  al- 
ready been  noticed.  C.  JN'ewcomer  and  H. 
Kumler,  sen.,  were  re-elected  general  super- 
intendents. 

One  thing  more  which  occupied  a  portion 
of  the  attention  of  the  general  conference 
of  1829  deserves  a  passing  notice.  About 
the  year  1824  an  exciting  controversy  was 
commenced  in  the  M.  E.  church,  in  relation 
to  church  government;  and  immediately  after 
the  rise  of  the  general  conference  of  that 
year,  a  meeting  of  reformers  was  held  in 
Baltimore,  at  which  it  was  determined  to 
publish  a  periodical  entitled,  "Mutual  Rights 
of  the  Ministers  and  Members  of  the  M. 
E.  Church."  The  meeting  also  resolved 
itself  into  a  "Union  Society,"  and  recom- 
mended that  similar  societies  be  organized 
in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  in  order 
to  ascertain  the  number  of  persons  in  the 
M.  E.  church  friendly  to   a  change   in   her 

Vol.  II.— 13 


194  HISTORY    OF    THE 

government,  whicli  would  divide  the  legisla- 
tive, executive  and  judicial  powers  of  the 
churcli  between  the  ministry  and  laity. 

In  1827  another  general  convention  was 
held  in  Baltimore,  composed  of  ministers 
and  laymen,  elected  by  the  Union  Societies, 
which  prepared  a  memorial  to  the  general 
conference  to  meet  in  1828,  "praying  that 
the  government  of  the  church  might  be 
made  representative,  and  more  in  accord- 
ance with  the  mutual  rights  of  the  ministers 
and  j)eople."  "To  this  memorial  the  gen- 
eral conference  replied,  in  a  circular,  claim- 
ing for  the  itinerant  ministers  an  exclusive 
divine  right  to  the  same  unlimited  and 
unamenable  power,  which  they  had  exercised 
over  the  church  since  1784."  The  reform- 
ers, losing  all  hope  of  a  change  in  the 
government  of  the  church,  called  another 
general  convention,  which  met  in  Baltimore 
Nov.  12th,  1828,  and  organized  a  provisional 
government  for  what  were  termed  the  "As- 
sociated Methodist  churches."* 

As  a  representative  of  this  newly  formed 
church,  Mr.  Collins  presented  himself  before 
our  fifth  general  conference. 

*  In  November,  1830,  the  new  church  was  fully  organized,  under 
the  name  of  The  Methoditt  Protestant  Church. 


UNITED    BIIETIIREX    IN    CHRIST.     195 

He  was  kindly  received,  and  addressed 
the  conference  in  relation  to  a  union  of 
the  two  churches.  The  conference  took  up 
the  subject,  and  appointed  a  committee  to 
prepare  a  letter  to  be  sent  to  the  church 
above  named  by  its  delegate,  Mr.  Collins. 
The  letter,  as  prepared  by  the  committee, 
and  adopted  by  the  conference,  reads  as 
follows : 

"Beloved  Beetheen: — Your  friendly  and 
brotherly  communication  has  been  delivered 
to  us  by  3^our  messenger,  Bro.  Collins,  and 
is  received  by  us  in  the  same  fMendly  and 
brotherly  spirit  in  which  it  was  communi- 
cated. 

"Dear  Brethren!  to  increase  brotherly  love 
and  Christian  fellowship  toward  all  the  chil- 
dren of  God,  always  has  been,  and,  we 
hope,  will  continue  to  be,  the  principle  by 
which  we  are  actuated;  and  upon  this  prin- 
ciple we  give    you  the    hand  of   fellowship. 

"The  proposition  made  to  us  by  your 
messenger  has  been  duly  considered,  and 
its  importance  acknowledged;  but,  dear  breth- 
ren, if  you  have  made  yourselves  acquainted 
with  our  discipline  and  form  of  church 
government,  you  will  readily  perceive  that 
this  body  has  no  legal  power  to  act  on  the 


196  HISTORY    OF    THE 

proposition  of  your  messenger.  The  mem- 
bers of  this  body  are  elected  by  the  members 
of  our  society;  *  *  and  our  constituents 
are  as  yet  uninformed  of  the  request  made 
by  your  messenger  to  us;  and  of  course  we 
are  not  able  now  to  ascertain  their  opinions 
and  views   on  the   subject. 

"In  a  case  of  such  importance  we  do 
not  consider  it  prudent  to  act  without  special 
instruction  from  our  constituents  upon  the 
subject.  "We  have  therefore  to  decline  your 
friendly  invitation  to  send  delegates  to  your 
conference  at  the  present  time  and  under 
the  present  circumstances. 

"That  the  Great  Head  of  the  church,  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  may  make  you  instru- 
mental in  his  hands  in  the  salvation  of 
many  souls,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of  your 
brethren   in   Christ." 

A  Very  friendly  reply  to  this  letter  was  sent 
to  the  Miami  conference,  at  its  session  in  May, 
1830.  Much  j^leasure  was  expressed  with  the 
contents  of  the  letter  from  the  United  Breth- 
ren general  conference.  But  these  friendly 
interchanges  were  not  long  continued.  The 
Reformers  had  introduced  some  popular  ele- 
ments into  their  government;  but  unfortu- 
nately, slaveholding  was   not  prohibited;   the 


UJTITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     197 

principle  of  caste  was  encouraged;  and  it 
was  not  long  until  the  slave  power  fastened 
disgraceful  shackles  on  the  press  of  the 
young  church,  put  manacles  uj)on  its  strong- 
est men,  and,  in  the  general  conference,  voted 
down  a  resolution  that  "slavery  is  an  evil 
under  some  circumstances."  A  division  of 
the  church,  or  rather  a  secession  of  the 
northern  portion  of  it,  has  been  the  result. 
The  connection  of  the  Reformers  Avith  secret 
oath-bound  associations  formed  another  bar- 
rier to  union. 


198  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  OLD  CONFERENCE  —  BURTNER — CRUM — 
THE  BENEVOLENT  FUND  SOCIETY — ADAM 
LEHMAN — DIVISION  OF  THE  OLD  CONFER- 
ENCE— CHRISTIAN  NEWCOMER,  HIS  CHARAC- 
TER   AND    DECEASE. 

The  reader  has  already  traced  the  history 
of  the  old  conference  from  the  period  of 
its  organization  in  1789,  up  to  1820.  He 
has  seen  the  venerable  men  who  formed  it, 
one  by  one,  exchanging  the  cross  for  the 
(Town.  He  has  observed  with  pleasure  the 
expansion  of  the  work,  and  the  establish- 
ment of  two  conferences  in  the  west,  as 
offshoots  from  the  old  conference.  'Now  let 
us  turn,  with  affectionate  interest,  to  the 
old  parent  conference  again,  see  how  it  fares 
with  her,  and  trace  her  history  for  a  few 
years  more.  We  have  seen  that  in  1820 
the  conference  was  composed  of  about  fifty 
preachers,  six  of  whom  were  itinerant,  four 
circuits,  and  four  presiding  elder's  districts; 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     199 

and  that  the  whole  sum  paid  for  preaching 
amounted  to   $371  40. 

At  the  session  of  the  conference  in  1821 
some  valuable  additions  were  made  to  the  min- 
istry. Among  those  admitted  were  Chris- 
tian Troup,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
church  in  the  far  west,  and  Henry  Burtner. 
Of  Mr.  Troup  notice  is  taken  in  a  subse- 
quent chapter,  in  connection  with  the  rise 
of  the  church  in  Iowa.  Mr.  Burtner*  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pa.,  A.  D.  1800. 
In  his  eighteenth  year  he  was  converted  at 
one  of  the  "great  meetings"  held  by  the 
United  Brethren  in  the  Cumberland  Valley. 
Soon  after  his  conversion  he  began  to  speak 
in  public,  and  in  his  twenty-first  year  was 
received  into  the  old  conference,  and  ap- 
pointed to  regular  work  in  the  traveling 
connection.  In  the  first  day  of  his  twenty- 
first  year  he  left  his  father's  house  for  his 
field  of  labor;  and  for  three  years  he  traveled 
in  the  mountainous  regions  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  in  portions  of  Virginia  and  Maryland. 
His  education  and  preparations  for  the  pulpit 
being  German,  and  the  demand  for  preach- 
ing, in  the  English  language,  between  1825 

•  Most  of  Uie  facts  of  this  sketch  are  condensed  from  a  sketch 
in  tJnity  Magazine,  by  Rev.  J.  Markwood. 


200  HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  1830,  in  all  the  portions  of  the  church 
contiguous  to  him  (as  he  was  now  married 
and  settled  in  Virginia),  being  largely  in- 
creased, he  gradually  retired  from  the  itin- 
eracy. However,  he  served  many  years  in 
the  capacity  of  a  local  presiding  elder.  In 
1829  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  general  con- 
ference; also  in  1849.  He  was  a  pleasant 
companion  in  the  social  circle,  and  in  hospi- 
tality was  rarely  excelled.  The  itinerant 
preacher  always  found  a  hearty  welcome  at 
his  house  and  handsome  aid  from  his  purse. 
Never  was  one  truer  to  the  pledgee  implied 
in  the  question:  "Are  you  willing,  as  much 
as  is  in  your  power,  to  assist  in  upholding 
the  itinerant  plan?"  Mr.  B.  was  above  the 
medium  size,  and  he  had  a  fine  face,  a 
remarkably  penetrating  eye,  and  was  a  preach- 
er of  depth  and  power.  After  much  and 
long-continued  suffering,  he  died  in  Rocking- 
ham Co.,  Ya.,  Jan.  5th,  1857,  having  been 
in  the  ministry  thirty-six  years.  Two  years 
prior  to  his  death,  a  daughter,  Mary  by 
name,  to  whom  he  was  greatly  attached,  died 
in  faith  and  hope;  and  when  he  was  dying, 
as  if  he  saw  the  spirit  of  his  child  near 
him,   he   exclaimed,    "Mary,  Mary!" 

In  1823  Cheistian  Crum,  one  of  the  oldest 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN    CHEIST.     201 

and  best  ministers  of  the  conference  died. 
Of  this  venerable  father  in  the  United  Breth- 
ren ministry,  and  Henry,  his  brother,  Henry 
Smith,  of  the  M.  E.  church,  in  a  letter  to 
the  author,  written  in  his  ninety-first  year, 
says:  "The  Crums,  Christian  and  Henry, 
I  knew  from  my  boyhood.  They  were  our 
neighbors.  They  were  twin  brothers,  and  so 
much  alike  that  in  early  life  it  was  difficult 
to  tell  them  apart.  They  were  raised,  I 
believe,  in  the  German  Reformed  church, 
but  destitute  of  the  power  of  Godliness. 
They  prayed  and  preached  in  the  German, 
In  the  work  of  the  ministry  Christian  took 
the  lead,  and  always  kept  it.  I  never  shall 
forget  the  good  and  fatherly  advice  he  gave 
me  when  I  was  yet  a  wild  boy,  and  the 
impression  it  made  on  my  youthful  mind. 
They  both  became  itinerants.  Christian  trav- 
eled pretty  extensively,  and  was  an  acceptable 
and  useful  preacher.  I  revere  his  memory. 
He  was  .much  beloved.  Henry  was  a  good 
man,  and  useful.  His  house  was  open  to 
the  English  (Methodist)  as  well  as  German 
(United  Brethren)  preachers.  There  I  heard 
the  venerable  Otterbein  preach;  and,  among 
o.thers,  received  the  sacrament  at  his  hands," 


202  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Christian   Crum   was  a  member  of   the  first 
general   conference. 

In  1821  the  "Benevolent  Fund"  move- 
ment was  originated  in  the  old  conference. 
A  committee,  consisting  of  Jacob  Baulus, 
John  Snyder,  Jos.  Hoffman,  Abraham  Mayer, 
Geo.  Guething,  and  John  Hershey,  to  whom 
the  subject  was  referred,  reported  to  the 
conference  the  following  resolutions: 

"Resolved  by  the  ministry  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  in  conference  assembled, 
that  there  is  great  necessity  of  forming  a 
society,  to  create  a  fund  from  which  the 
traveling,  and  the  worn  out,  and  superan- 
nuated  ministers  shall   be   supported. 

"Resolved,  That  in  every  circuit  agents 
shall  be  appointed  to  invite  persons  to  join 
this   society  and  to  get  subscriptions. 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed 
by  this  conJference,  to  draw  up  a  Constitu- 
tion for  this  benevolent  societ}'',  and  lay 
the   same  before  the  next  annual   conference. 

"Resolved,  That  to  help  those  now  in 
need  a  subscription  be  circulated  in  this  con- 
ference room. 

"Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
be  sent  to  the  general  conference,  and  to  the 
annual  conferences  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio." 


UNITED    BRETHEEN     IN    CHRIST.   203 

The  report  was  adopted  by  a  unanimous 
vote,  and  J.  Baulus  and  J.  Hildt  were  con- 
stituted a  committee  to  draft  a  Constitution. 

At  the  conference  in  1822  the  constitution 
prepared  by  the  committee  was  presented; 
and  adopted;  and  J.  Braiser  of  Chambers- 
burg,  y.  Daub  and  J.  Cronise  of  Frederick, 
A.  Newcomer  of  Washington,  S.  Huber  of 
Rocky  Spring,  J.  Wenger  of  Franklin,  and 
Geo.  Martin  of  Hagerstown,  were  constituted 
a  board  of  trustees  to  manage  the  funds 
of  the  society.  The  presiding  eklers  reported 
that  they  had  secured  about  |400  for  the 
society  during  the  year;  and  they  were 
instructed  by  the  conference  to  continue  their 
efforts. 

In  1826  an  auxiliar}^  Benevolent  Society 
was  chartered  in  Ohio,  of  which  Jos.  Hoff- 
man, D.  Mechlin,  S.  Hiestand,  L.  I^ramer, 
S.  Meyers,  G.  Benedum,  and  John  Coons 
were  the  trustees. 

The  Benevolent  Society  aimed  to  create 
a  fund,  the  interest  of  which  should  afford 
relief  to  the  needy  ministers  and  their  wid- 
ows and  orphans.  Persons  might  become 
members  of  the  society  for  life,  by  the 
payment  of  |10,  or  for  a  single  year  by 
the  payment  of    the    interest    of   $10.     By 


204  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

means  of  subscrij)tions  and  donations  quite  a 
large  capital  stock  was  accumulated.  But  it 
soon  became  evident,  as  the  number  of  labor- 
ers in  the  vineyard  increased,  that  other,  and 
more  effectual  means,  were  necessary,  in  order 
to  supply  the  wants  of  the  rapidly-multi- 
plying worn-out  ministers,  and  of  their  help- 
less widows  and  orphans ;  and  at  the  general 
conference  of  1853  measures  were  adopted, 
looking  toward  the  dissolution  of  the  old 
society,  and  23roviding  for  an  equal  distri- 
bution of  its  stock  among  the  several  con- 
ferences, and  for  the  reference  of  the  whole 
matter  of  provision  for  the  class  of  persons 
named  to  the  annual  conferences. 

In  the  year  1823  Adam  Lehman,  a  mem- 
ber of  this  conference  at  its  organization 
in  1789,  died,  having  attained  to  his  ninety- 
first  year.  He  was  an  early  co-laborer  of 
Otterbein,  and  a  devoted  Christian  minister 
for  many  years.  As  his  name  has  frequently 
been  confounded  with  that  of  his  son,  we 
will  add  in  this  place,  that  he  was  succeeded 
in  the  ministry  by  his  son,  Jacob  Adam 
Lehman,  who  was  one  of  the  first  United 
Brethren  itinerant  preachers  in  the  Miami 
conference.  Jacob  Adam,  like  his  father, 
was  a  man  of  unimpeachable  character,  and 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     205 

of  deep  piety.  He  enjoyed  for  many  years  the 
full  assurance  of  faith.  Possessing  a  vigorous 
constitution  and  unimpaired  health,  he  toiled  on 
to  his  90th  year  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  On 
the  30th  of  May,  1848,  his  sun  of  life,  unob- 
scured  by  a  single  cloud,  set  in  glory.  He  also 
left  a  devoted  son,  who  is  still  in  the  ministry. 

In  1823  Jacob  Erb  and  Gideon  Smith;  in 
1825  John  Zahn,  A.  Hershey,  William  R. 
Rhinehart;  and  in  1827  George  Hiskey, 
were  received  into  conference.  These  were 
all  valuable  accessions,  as  the  reader  will 
learn  from  subsequent  chapters  of  this  his- 
tory. 

At  the  conference  which  met  in  Chambers- 
burg  in  1825,  thirty-five  ministers  were  in 
attendance;  and  at  the  close  of  the  examina- 
tion the  secretary  writes:  "Praise  God,  there 
was  universal  love  among  the  brethren,  and 
no  complaint  was  made.  God  had  been  with 
the  brethren,  and  blessed  them  on  their  dif- 
ferent fields  of  labor." 

At  the  general  conference  of  1829  the 
Harrisburg,  or  Pennsylvania  conference,  as  it 
was  afterwards  called,  was  set  off  from  the 
old  conference ;  or,  it  may  be  nearer  the  truth 
to  say  that  the  old  conference  was  divided. 
The  general  conference  record  is  as  follows: — 


206  HISTORY    OP    THE 

"Resolved,  That  the  Hagerstown  conference 
district  be  divided  to  the  best  advantage,  and 
that  the  brethren,  Hildt,  Brown,  Zahn,  and 
Miller,  constitute  a  comniittee  for  the  purpose." 

"The  committee  appointed  to  divide  the 
Hagerstown  conference  district,  reported  that 
said  district  shall  in  future  consist  of  the  state 
of  Virginia,  and  the  counties  of  Washington  and 
Alleghany  in  Maryland,  and  that  the  remain- 
ing part  of  the  said  district  shall  constitute  a 
new  one,  to  be  called  the  Harrisburg  district." 

In  March,  1830,  the  venerable  old  body  as- 
sembled at  Shopp's  meeting-house,  near  Shire- 
manstown,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  to  hold  its 
last  meeting.  The  names  of  seventy-six  min- 
isters were  enrolled,  fifty-eight  of  whom  were 
in  attendance. 

For  the  first  time  in  a  longi  series  of  years, 
the  familiar  face  of  Newcomer  was  absent. 
A  few  weeks  before,  he  had  gone  to  be  pres- 
ent with  the  Lord.  "Love  and  unity,"  writes 
the  secretary,  "reigned  in  the  conference." 
Near  the  close  of  the  session  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  in  future  Hagerstown  con- 
ference shall  have  the  old  protocol  (minutes), 
and  that  Harrisburg  conference  shall  procure 
a  new  book."  To  this  resolution  it  ia  added 
that  "bishop  Kumler  gave  to  William  Brown 


UNITED    BEETIIREX    IN    CHRIST.    207 


|2,  with  which  he  shall  procure  a  new  pro- 
tocol for  Harrisburg  conference,  and  shall 
transcribe  from  the  old  into  the  new  all  pro- 
ceedings of  importance." 

Thus  was  the  original  conference  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  after  an  existence 
of  forty-one  years,  divided, — the  southern  part 
retaining  the  old  name,  and  the  old  protocol. 
The  old  name  was  soon  exchanged  for  Vir- 
ginia, and  Harrisburg  for  Pennsylvania.  Bid- 
ding the  dear  old  conference  an  affectionate 
farewell,  we  shall  make  the  acquaintance  of 
her  daughters  and  granddaughters,  in  whom 
will  be  seen,  we  are  happy  to  know,  the  ex- 
alted virtues  of  the  mother.  Of  the  number 
of  members  in  the  old  conference  district,  in 
1830,  we  have  no  knowledge.  It  is  evident, 
however,  from  such  statistics  as  we  have,  that 
the  work,  during  the  ten  years  between  1820 
and  1830,  was  carried  forward  successfully. 

COMPAEISON   OF   THE   STATISTICS   OF   1820 
AND  1830. 


Preachers. 

Cir.  and  Sta. 

Itinerants. 

Paid  for  support 
of  preaching. 

1830 
1820 

76 
51 

11 

4 

16 

6 

11,263  36 
371  40 

Inc. 

25 

7 

10 

$891  96 

208  HISTORY    OF    THE 

It  has  been  already  remarked  tliat  at  the 
last  annual  meeting  of  the  old  conference 
Christian  IsTewcomer  was  absent.  This  ven- 
erable Christian  bishop  finished  his  course  on 
earth  March  12th,  1830,  in  the  82nd  year  of 
his  age.  He  commenced  preaching  in  1787* 
was  a  member  of  the  first  conference  in  1789; 
presided  at  the  first  conference  in  Ohio  in 
1810;  was  elected  bishop  for  one  year,  in 
1813,  after  the  death  of  Boehm,  and  about 
six  months  prior  to  the  decease  of  Otterbein; 
was  ordained  formally  as  an  elder,  by  Mr. 
O.,  a  few  days  previous  to  Mr.  O.'s  death; 
was  re-elected  bishop  for  three  years  by  the 
conference  in  the  east,  in  1814;  and  was  re- 
elected by  the  first  general  conference  in  1815, 
and  by  each  succeeding  general  conference, 
including  that  which  met  in  1829,  the  year 
preceding  his  death.  He  was  a  minister  fifty- 
three  years,  and  a  general  superintendent 
almost  seventeen  years. 

Few  ministers  in  America  have  performed 
more  work  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  Entering 
the  field  at  early  dawn,  he  bore  the  burden 
and  heat  of  the  day,  and  rested  not  a  mo- 
ment, relaxed  not  a  muscle,  until  the  sun 
went  down.  For  fifty-three  years  he  was  in 
his  saddle  almost  daily,  visiting  and  preach- 


tJNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    209 

ing  from  house  to  house,  from  city  to  city, 
and  from  state  to  state.  He  was  the  mes- 
senger of  salvation  to  multitudes  in  Maryland, 
Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  Ohio;  and  he 
also  preached  in  Indiana,  Kentucky,  ;N"ew 
York,  and  once  visited  Canada.  Mneteen  times 
he  crossed  the  Alleghany  mountains  on  horse- 
back, after  he  had  passed  his  sixty-first  year. 

A  good  Grerman  training  at  home  had  given 
him  a  vigorous  constitution  and  habits  of  in- 
dustry. He  always  kept  a  good  horse,  and 
knew  how  to  take  care  of  him,  and  to  prize 
him.  Hence,  when  well-mounted,  as  he  al- 
ways was,  it  mattered  little  about  cold,  rain, 
hail,  snow,  mud,  or  distance.  He  often  rode 
all  day,  even  after  he  had  reached  his  three- 
score and  ten,  without  meat  or  drink.  On 
his  nineteenth  tour  west,  in  his  81st  year,  he 
rode  in  one  day  fifty-two  miles. 

And  never  a  word  of  complaint  escaped  his 
lips.  He  was  a  Christian  hero  of  the  noblest 
type.  This  fact  beams  from  every  page  of 
his  journal.  He  never  pens  a  word  of  pious 
complaint  about  his  trials;  never  imagines 
that  he  is  making  great  sacrifices  for  the 
church,  and  is  doing  too  much  for  the  Lord. 
Kg,  no.  Storms,  hunger,  and  weariness  only 
make  him  the  happier. 

YoL.  II.— 14. 


210  HISTORY    or    THE 

,  November  14th,  1821,  he  writes:  "This  day 
I  rode,  in  a  happy  frame  of  mind,  through 
wind  and  snow,  from  morning  till  night  with- 
out any  refreshment,"  October  2nd,  1826, 
when  nearly  eighty  years  old,  he  makes  this 
tiote: — ^"I  crossed  the  Juniata  river,  came  to 
a  very  steep  mountain,  and  with  difficulty 
gained  the  summit,  where  I  kneeled  down, 
and  offered  up  2)raises  and  thanksgiving  to 
my  Lord  and  Master  for  all  his  mercies,  and 
remembered  all  my  brethren  in  the  ministry 
at  a  throne  of  grace.  I  believe  my  offering 
was*  acceptable  in  his  sight,  for  I  felt  his 
gracious  presence  in  my  soul.  Hallelujah! 
Glory,  honor  and  praise  be  unto  our  God  for 
ever!" 

He  was  not  what  is  commonly  denom- 
inated a  great  preacher.  Not  blessed  with 
a  ready  utterance,  at  times  it  seemed  to  be 
hard  work  for  him  to  express  his  ideas.  Mr. 
Otterbein  was  heard  to  say,  "When  I  hear 
him  I  feel  as  if  I  wanted  to  help  him."  Yet 
he  always  succeeded  in  feeding  the  flock,  and 
in  reaching  the  hearts  of  sinners.  He  was 
mighty  in  prayer,  by  which  we  mean  that 
he  prevailed  with  God.  Often  did  the  Spirit's 
baptism  come  down  in  answer  to  his  suppli- 
cations ;  and  often  while  he  prayed  for  mourn- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     211 

ers  did  the  light  of  life  break  in  upon  them. 
Once  when  Mr.  Otterbein  seemed  on  the  point 
of  dying,  Mr.  Newcomer  entreated  God  that 
the  disease  might  be  rebuked,  and  that  Mr. 
Otterbein  might  be  spared;  and  his  prayer 
was  immediately  answered. 

Wherever  he  went  he  carried  the  revival 
spirit.  ^^Tiile  visiting  families  not  unfre- 
quently  one,  two  and  three  of  the  number 
Avould  be  awakened  and  converted.  "To- 
day," he  says,  "I  visited  A.  Huber.  Several 
neighbors  collected  together,  and  we  began 
to  sing  and  pray.  The  power  of  Grod  came 
down.  The  mother  of  the  house  and  daugh- 
ter-in-law obtained  peace.  Bless  the  Lord!" 
Such  notes  are  thickly  interspersed  through 
his  journal. 

He  was  none  of  your  rough,  odd  men; 
none  of  your  fighting,  joking  Cartwrights; 
b'lt  an  earnest,  kind-hearted,  joyful,  humble 
Christian,  thinking  little  of  himself,  and  sink- 
ing into  the  dust  before  God. 

On  his  76th  birthday  he  writes: — "0  thou 
merciful  God !  so  many  years  hast  thou  borne 
with  my  infirmities;  I  pray  thee  to  continue 
thy  loving-kindness  and  mercy  at  this  ad- 
vanced period  of  my  life."  February  4th, 
1827,  he  writes,    "The  Lord   is  gracious   to 


212  HISTORY    OF    THE 

poor,  unworthy  me.  For  some  time  past  I 
have  been  unusually  happy,  and  able  to  re- 
joice in  Grod  my  salvation.  0,  Lord,  my  all  is 
thine;  I  oifer  myself  up  unto  thee  totally, 
and  without  reserve.  Only  continue  unto  me 
thy  grace;  and  if  consistent  with  thy  holy 
will,  let  me  continue  in  this  happy  frame  of 
mind  through  life  and  death.     Amen." 

Four  weeks  after  he  had  completed  his  last 
western  tour,  he  writes:  "I  am  still  indis- 
posed. Remained  at  home,  engaged  in  read- 
ing and  prayer.  My  loving  Savior  extended 
his  loving-kindness  to  me  in  secret  prayer, 
and  blessed  my  poor  soul  so  abundantly  that 
it  became  impossible  for  me  not  to  shout  and 
praise  the  Lord  aloud.  Glory  and  honor  be 
to  his  holy  name  forever:  Hallelujah!" 

Recovering  partially,  he  made  another  visit 
to  Virginia;  thence  to  a  camp-meeting  at 
Boonsborough,  Md. ;  thence  to  another  camp- 
meeting  in  York  Co.,  Pa.;  thence  to  a  Meth- 
odist camp-meeting  at  Hagerstown,  Md. ;  the 
Sabbath  following  he  is  holding  a  sacramental 
meeting  at  Grreencastle,  Pa. ;  and  thus  he  toils 
on  until  October  11th,  five  months  before  his 
decease,  when  he  rests  another  Sabbath.  He 
writes:  "I  remained  home,  engaged  in  read- 
ing and  prayer.     I  found  my  soul  particularly 


UNITED    BRETIIEEN    IN    CHRIST.     213 

drawn  out  to  God  in  behalf  of  all  my  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry.  I  feel  my  feebleness 
increasing  from  day  to  day."  Going  out 
again  he  spends  two  weeks  more  in  the  vine- 
yard, then  returns  home,  prostrated.  He  now 
writes.  "I  am  not  able  to  leave  my  room, 
but  glory  to  God!  I  can  have  sweet  com- 
munion with  him.  Though  solitary,  I  am  not 
alone,  for  my  Savior  is  still  with  me,  and  con- 
tinues the  best  of  friends.  0!  how  blessed 
is  the  condition  of  aged  people,  when  they 
know  they  have  a  reconciled  God  and  Savior. 
JN'othing  am  I  more  sorry  of  than  that  I  have 
not  served  my  Lord  and  Master  more  faith- 
fully." On  the  11th  of  jS'ovember  he  writes: 
"I  find  that  I  am  barely  able  to  hold  a  pen 
to  make  this  entry  in  my  journal.  *  *  JN^ot 
many  days  are  left  unto  me  to  live  in  this 
world.  Soon  the  call  will  be,  'Give  account 
of  thy  stewardship.'  Bless  the  Lord,  I  am 
in  no  wise  afraid  to  appear  in  his  presence, 
for  I  know  one  who  is  my  surety  and  has 
paid  my  debts." 

Thus  he  lingered,  sometimes  confined  to  his 
room  for  weeks,  then  out  at  a  sacramental  or 
quarterly  meeting,  until  March  2nd,  when, 
after  making  an  effort  to  go  to  Virginia, 
his  strength  failing  him,  he  returned  home. 


214  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

On  the  4th  of  March,  he  wrote  this  last  para- 
graph in  his  journal:  "I  lay  down  my  pen, 
and  the  Lord  knows  whether  I  shall  be  able 
to  resume  it  again.  The  Lord's  will  be  done. 
Amen.  Hallelujah!"  A  day  or  two  after- 
ward his  colleague,  bishop  Kumler,  visited 
him,  which  gave  him  great  joy.  On  the  12th 
of  March,  a  few  minutes  before  his  decease, 
"he  arose  from  his  bed  without  any  assistance, 
and,  with  those  persons  present  in  the  room, 
presented  himself  at  his  bedside  before  that 
throne  where  he  had  formed  a  spiritual  ac- 
quaintance with  his  blessed  Lord  and  Mas- 
ter many  years  before.  After  the  prayer 
was  ended  he  again  laid  down,  reclining 
his  head  on  his  pillow,  drew  breath  but  a 
few  times,  and  calmly  expired  in  the  arms 
of  his  Savior  and  his  God,  in  the  full  assur- 
ance of  a  blessed  immortality.  His  whole 
countenance  ap^^eared  to  be  a  faithful  mirror 
in  which  the  serenity  of  mind  and  the  peace 
within  was  depicted  in  faithful  characters."* 
Thus  did  this  model  evangelist  and  bishop 
enter  into  rest. 

*  Journal,  page  330. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.   215 


CHAPTEE  XI. 

OUTGROWTHS    OF    THE    OLD   CONFERENCE — VIR- 
GINIA, PAEKERSBURG — J.  J.  GLOSSBRENNER 

W.    R.    COURSEY — JACOB    BACHTEL J.    MARK- 
WOOD. 

It  has  been  alread}'^  stated  tliat  the  Vir- 
ginia conference  was  formed  by  a  division 
of  the  old  conference  in  1830;  and  that  it 
retained  the  okl  name,  Hagerstown,  and  the 
old  records.  Prior  to  1833,  however,  Vir- 
ginia, its   present   name,  was   assumed. 

The  first  annual  conference  of  the  Virginia 
district  assembled  at  Mill  Creek,  in  Shen- 
andoah Co.,  Va.,  April  27th,  1831.  There 
were  present  at  the  opening  of  the  session, 
twenty  ministers,  whose  names  follow: — H. 
Kumler,  sen.,  bishop;  W.  R.  Khinehart,  Henry 
Biirtner,  J.  Krock,  G.  Patterson,  Jacob  Erb 
(of  Pennsylvania),  Gr.  Guething,  J.  Zahn, 
W.  Kinnear,  W.  Miller,  P.  Witzel,  J.  Rhine- 
hart,  J.  Houck.  G.  Hoffman,  jNT.  Woodyard, 
J.  Haney,  H.  Higgins,  J.  Haas,  P.  flarmon, 


216  HISTORY    OF    THE 

I 

and  W.  Knott.  Of  the  absent  ministers  no 
record  is  made  in  the   minutes. 

Soon  after  the  conference  was  opened,  a 
slender  young  man,  not  yet  nineteen  years 
of  age,  was  presented  as  a  candidate  for 
license  to  preach,  and  was  received,  whose 
name  has  become,  wherever  the  United 
Brethren  are  known,  familiar  as  a  house- 
hold word.  We  refer  to  J.  J.  GtLossbrenner. 
We  must  pause  in  our  iwrative  to  give  a 
brief   sketch   of    his   life   and   character. 

Mr.  Glossbrenner  was  born  in  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  July  24th,  1812.  His  parents  were 
members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and  of 
German  extraction.  At  the  early  age  of  six 
years  he  was  obliged,  on  account  of  the 
death  of  his  father,  to  seek  a  home  among 
strangers.  Wlien  of  sufficient  age  he  went 
to  the  trade  of  a  silversmith,  in  Hagers- 
town,  where  in  his  seventeenth  year  he  wasr 
awakened  and  converted.  After  serving  as 
a  class-leader  about  a  year,  he  received 
a  license  to  exhort;  and,  in  his  nineteenth 
year,  he  was  admitted  into  the  Virginia 
conference,  as  already  stated.  He  entered 
the  itineracy  at  once,  and  was  placed  uj^on 
Hagerstown  circuit.  The  following  year  he 
was   sent  to  the  Valley  of   Virginia,  where 


UNITED    BKETHEEN     IX    CHRIST.     217 

he  was  married.  In  1834,  although  then 
scarce  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  was 
elected  presiding  elder.  He  continued  to 
itinerate  in  the  Virginia  conference,  with 
constantly-increasing  usefulness,  fi'om  1831 
to  1845,  a  period  of  fourteen  years.  He 
was  a  delegate  to  the  general  conferences 
of  1837,  1841,  and  1845.  In  1845  he  was 
elected  bishop;  and  at  each  succeeding  gen- 
eral conference  since  he  has  been  re-elected. 
Being  a  plain,  earnest  preacher,  a  sound 
theologian  in  both  head  and  heart,  a  good 
disciplinarian,  and  an  excellent  presiding 
officer;  and  f)ossessing,  withal  a  strong  will, 
a  forbearing  temper,  and  indefatigable  per- 
severance, he  fills  one's  ideal  of  what  a 
Christian  bishop  ought  to  be.  Few  men 
would  better  answer  to  the  requirements 
specified  in   Titus  i.  7-9. 

Bishop  Glossbrenner  is  about  five  feet  ten 
inches  in  hight,  and  is  well  built.  His  com- 
plexion is  dark,  eyes  black,  features  regu- 
lar, countenance  and  manners  sincere  and 
winning.  Thirty  years  of  constant  itinerant 
work  have  left  upon  him  their  well  known 
traces. 

His  admission  into  the  Virginia  confer- 
ence,  at    its    first    session,   and    at    a   time, 


218  HISTORY    OF    THE 

too,  when  the  demand  for  English  itinerant 
laborers  was  exceedingly  pressing,  exerted  no 
inconsiderable  influence  upon  its  prosperity, 
and  by  his  unswerving  adherence  to  the 
peculiar  principles  of  the  Gospel  under  cir- 
cumstances which  try  men's  souls,  he  has 
contributed  greatly  to  the  purity  and  success 
of  the  Virginia  conference,  and  of  the  United 
Brethren   church. 

At  the  first  session  of  this  conference  a 
very  strong  resolution  against  the  distilla- 
tion and  sale  of  ardent  spirits  was  intro- 
duced by  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  who  always  stood 
in  the  front  ranks  of  the  temperance  reform, 
and  passed.  It  v\^as  also  decided,  and  very 
wisely  too,  that  the  itinerant  preachers  should 
only  pay  over  to  conference,  for  general  dis- 
tribution, the  m.oney  they  had  received  over 
and  above  the  salary  allowed  by  discipline. 
This  was   a   move   in   the   right   direction. 

The  appointments  of  the  traveling  preach- 
ers were   read   as  follows: 

Hagerstoivn  circuit — J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  W, 
R.  Rhinehart. 

Jlechanicstown  circuit — W.  Miller,  Gr.  Gruetli- 
ing. 

Staunton  and  Woodstock  circuits — J,  Zahn, 
K.  Woodyard,   J.   Haney,   J.   Houck. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     219 

Thus,  in  1831,  did  the  Virginia  conference 
set  sail,  to  use  a  nautical  phrase,  with  four 
circuits,  eight  itinerant,  and  about  fifteen 
local   preachers — twenty-three   in   all. 

In  1833,  among  those  received  into  the 
conference  we  find  the  names  of  J.  M. 
Hershey,  who  is  still  an  efiicient  minister 
in  the  St.  Joseph,  and  Gr.  Rimal  of  the  Vir- 
ginia conference.  These  ministers  have  stood 
at  their  posts,  as  faithful  watchmen,  nearly 
thirty  years. 

As  the  church,  up  to  this  period,  had  no 
English  hymn-book,  except  the  collection 
issued  by  Mr.  Antrim,  the  Virginia  confer- 
ence, in  1833,  passed  a  resolution  in  favor 
of  the  publication  of  a  new  and  improved 
collection,  and  constituted  Mr.  Rhinehart  and 
Mr.  Zahn  a  committee  to  examine  any  col- 
lection which  might  be  offered  them,  or 
to  prepare  a  new  one.  It  was  afterward 
arranged  that  the  Pennsylvania  conference 
should  unite  with  the  Virginia,  in  preparing 
and  publishing  a  new  hymn-book;  and  Jacob 
Erb  was  associated  with  Mr.  Rhinehart,  and 
the  two  constituted  a  compiling  committee. 
A  book  was  in  due  time  prepared  and  pub- 
lished, which  met  the  wants  of  the  church 
for  a   number  of    years. 


220  HISTORY    or    THE 

W.  R.  CouRSEY,  and  Gr.  A.  Shuey,  both 
of  whom  have  rendered  efficient  service  in 
the  conference,  were  admitted  in  1833.  Mr. 
Coursey  is  still  in  the  effective  itinerant 
ranks.  He  has  served  a  number  of  years  as 
presiding  elder,  and  was  a  delegate  to  the 
general  conferences  of  1841  and  1857. 

During  the  year  1833  the  work  in  this 
conference  was  extended  in  various  direc- 
tions ;  and  a  new  circuit,  called  South  Branch, 
was  formed,  and  traveled  by  J.  M.  Hershey. 

In  1834  Jacob  Bachtel  was  added  to  the 
itinerant  force  of  the  conference;  and  from 
that  period  to  the  present,  he  has  been  a 
noble  example  of  ministerial  perseverance. 
As  a  circuit  preacher,  presiding  elder,  and 
pioneer  missionary  in  Western  Virginia,  he 
has  displayed  those  qualities  which  lend  a 
peculiar  charm  to  the  character  of  a  trav- 
eling preacher.  Prompt,  zealous,  and  in- 
dustrious, he  has  accomplished,  in  his  almost 
thirty  years'  itineracy,  an  amount  of  hard 
toil,  much  of  it  in  mountainous  districts, 
which  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of  but  few  min- 
isters. He  contributed  materially  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  Virginia  conference,  which 
he  represented  in  the  general  conferences  of 
1845,  1849,  1853,   and   1857;    and  when  the 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     221 

Parkersburg-  conference  was  formed,  altliough 
advanced  in  years,  he  identified  himself  with 
that  laborious,  but  promising,  field,  where  he 
is  still  employed  in  the  effective  itinerant 
ranks.      Mr.  Bachtel   is   a   sound   preacher. 

The  number  of  circuits  in  1834  had  in- 
creased to  six,  and  the  number  of  itinerant 
preachers  to  twelve.  At  the  conference  of 
this  year,  a  resolution  was  introduced  by  W. 
R.  Rhinehart,  in  favor  of  the  publication  of 
a  religious  newspaper,  under  the  patronage 
of  the  conference,  to  be  called  the  Union 
Messenger.  The  resolution  was  favorably 
received  b}^  the  conference,  and  Mr.  R.  was 
encouraged  to  go  forward  with  the  enterprise. 
The  Messenger  made  its  appearance  soon 
after  conference ;  but  as  the  general  confer- 
ence had,  the  year  before,  resolved  to  estab- 
lish a  paper,  in  which  the  whole  church  might 
be  interested,  it  was,  together  with  its  sub- 
scription list,  type,  and  editor,  transferred  to 
Circle ville,  0.,  where,  in  1834,  the  Religious 
Telescope  was  issued. 

In  1838  a  thin,  dark,  wiry  little  man 
was  received,  who  for  more  than  twenty 
years  has  been  an  effective  force  in  the 
conference,  and  in  the  church.  We  refer 
to  Jacob  Markwood.      Mr.  Markwood  was 


222  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Iborn  in  Jeiferson  Co.,  Va.,  on  Christmas, 
in  1818.  In  his  tenth  year  he  became  the 
subject  of  deep  convictions,  and  while  a 
l^ook  containing  the  experiences  of  some 
English  Wesleyan  preachers  melted  his 
heart,  a  tract  on  the  final  damnation  of 
the  wicked  caused  him  to  tremble  with  fear, 
and  to  i^ray  for  mercy.  At  the  age  of 
thirteen  he  was  put  to  work  in.  a  woolen- 
factory,  under  the  care  of  an  elder  brother; 
and  while  thus  employed  he  attended  a  re- 
vival meeting,  during  which,  while  kneeling 
at  the  mourner's  bench,  after  a  three  day's 
struggle,  he  found,  to  use  his  own  words, 
"inexpressible  peace  in  Christ."  This  was 
in  October,  1832.  The  converted  factory 
boy  soon  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach 
the  Gospel;  but  his  youth,  and  a  sense  of 
unfitness  for  the  great  work,  deterred  him 
from  entering  upon  it,  until  his  nineteenth 
year,  when  he  accepted  a  license  to  exhort. 
This  was  in  June,  1837.  In  September  fol- 
lowing he  Avas  licensed  to  preach,  and  com- 
menced to  travel  with  the  preachers  on  their 
large   circuits   as  an  assistant. 

In  March,  1838,  as  above  stated,  he  was 
received  into  the  Virginia  conference,  and 
appointed  to  travel  Hagerstown  circuit,  as  a 


XJNITEI>    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     223 

colleague  of  William  Knott,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years.  Xext  he  was  sent  to 
South  Branch  circuit,  where  he  labored 
two  years  longer.  In  1843  he  was  elected 
presiding  elder,  and  placed  upon  Maryland 
district.  1854  and  1855  were  spent  in  an 
agency  for  the  missionary  society.  He  has 
served  his  conference  since  1843,  almost  con- 
tinually as  a  presiding  elder,  on  districts 
which  require  long,  and  hard  journeys  on 
horseback;  and  he  has  been  a  delegate  to 
each   general   conference   since  1845. 

Few  men,  since  1838,  have  labored  more 
zealously,  or  have  made  a  more  favorable 
impression  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  Mr. 
Markwood  is  a  bold  defender  of  the  peculi- 
arities of  the  United  Brethren  church;  an 
indefatigable  itinerant ;  a  Christian  of '  the 
finest  mold;  an  eloquent  and  faithful  preach- 
er; and  he  is  never  happier  than  when 
in  his  saddle,  climbing  over  the  hills  and 
mountains,  on  the  way  to  a  quarterly  meeting. 

With  Griossbrenner,  Markwood,  Bachtel, 
and  others  of  similar  spirit,  the  United  Breth- 
ren church  in  Virginia  and  Maryland  has 
not  only  been  able  to  hold  its  own,  amid 
the  most  adverse  influences,  but  it  has  had 
a  healthy  growth. 


224  HISTORY    OF    THE 

In  1857  all  tliat  part  of  the  Virginia 
district  west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains  was 
constituted  a  new  conference,  and  called  Park- 
ersburg  conference.  With  a  self-denying 
itineracy  and  a  new  field,  this  conference, 
from  a  small  beginning,  has  quickly  attained 
a  respectable  size  and  standing.  We  shall 
recur  to   it  again  in   a   subsequent  chapter. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     2'25 


CHAPTER  XII. 

OUTGROWTHS   OF   THE   OLD   CONFERENCE — 
PENNSYLVANIA,  EAST  PENNSYLVANIA,  ALLE 
GHANY — J.  ERB — G.  MILLER — J.  FOHL. 

The  northern  portion  of  the  old  confer- 
ence, first  called  the  Harrisburg,  but  soon 
after  the  Pennsylvania  conference,  held 
its  first  annual  session  in  Cumberland  Co., 
Pa.,  in  April,  1831.  Thirty-one  ministers 
were  in  attendance  at  the  opening  of  the 
conference;  and  during  the  session  five  can- 
didates for  the  ministry  were  authorized  to 
preach, — making  the  whole  number  present 
thirty-six. 

In  1833  the  boundaries  of  this  conference 
were  extended  westward  to  the  Pennsylvania 
line,  so  as  to  include  that  portion  of  the 
church  in  Washington  and  Westmoreland 
counties,  which,  since  1818,  had  been  under 
the  care  of  the  Muskingum  conference.  With 
this  expansion  of  territory  the  Pennsylvania 
conference  embraced  the  whole  of  the  State 
Vol.  II.— 15. 


226  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  small  portion  of 
Maryland.  In  1835  this  extensive  field,  or 
the  portion  of  it  cultivated  by  the  United 
Brethren,  was  divided  into  eleven  circuits, 
which  were  served  by  fifteen  itinerant  preach- 
ers, stationed   as   follows: 

Carlisle  District — J.  Erb  P.  E, 

Carlisle  circuit,  Jacob  Ritter. 

York  circuit,  Geo.  Miller. 

Jacob  Rupp  to  travel  through  the  circuits 
above   named   as   a   German   preacher. 

DaufJiin  circuit,  D.  Funkhouser. 

Lancaster,   Jacob   Snider. 

Lancaster  station,  Ezekiel  Boring. 

Baltimore  station,    Peter  Hermon. 

Huntington  District — J.  Niman  and  J. 
Rider  Presiding   Elders. 

Iluntingtoii  circuit,  F.  Gilbert. 

Juniata  circuit,  M.  Lawson. 

Chamhershurg  circuit,  Martin  Lohr. 

Clearjield  circuit,  John  Wallace. 

Westmoreland  circuit,  G.  StC.  Hussey. 

Jacob  Erb,  whose  name  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  itinerant  force,  in  the  allotments 
of  labor  for  1835,  was  admitted  into  the 
old  conference  in  1823.  The  same  year  he 
entered  the  itinerant  ranks.  In  1825,  in 
company  with  J.  Christian  Smith,  he  visited 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     227 

Canada  West,  and  that  part  of  the  State 
of  New  York  which  lies  contiguous  to  the 
JN'iagara  Falls.  In  1827  he  was  appointed 
to  travel  a  mission  in  the  North,  designated 
as  the  "New  York  Mission."  Possessing  the 
true  missionary  spirit,  he  traveled  through 
portions  of  Western  New  York  and  Canada, 
part  of  the  time  afoot  with  his  knapsack 
on  his  back,  preaching  Christ.  He  was 
well  received,  and  succeeded  in  establishing 
a  number  of  excellent  societies  in  Erie  county. 
New  York,  and  Canada  West.  Between  1827 
and  1837  he  made  occasional  visits  to  this 
mission;  but,  as  the  conference  seemed  un- 
willing to  prosecute  the  work,  he  was  obliged 
to  give  it  up  in  despair.  Soon  after  this 
unjustifiable  abandonment  of  a  most  prom- 
ising field,  it  was  entered  by  the  Evangelical 
(sometimes  called  Albright)  brethren,  who 
were  successful  in  winning  hundreds,  and  even 
thousands  of  European,  and  other  Grermans, 
to  Christ.  The  United  Brethren,  neglected 
by  the  Pennsylvania  conference,  generally 
united  with  the  Evangelical  Association. 
However,  when  the  missionary^  board,  a  few 
years  since,  sent  over  laborers  to  Canada, 
some  of  the  fruits  of  ^Ir.  Erb's  labors 
still   remained. 


228  HISTORY    OF    THE 

In  1829  Mr.  Erb  was  a  delegate  to  the 
general  conference;  also  in  1833,  and  1837. 
in  1837  lie  was  elected  bishop,  his  colleagues 
being  Samuel  Hiestand  and  Henry  Kumler, 
sen.  In  1841  he  was  re-elected  to  the  super- 
intendency,  H.  Kumler,  sen.,  John  Coons, 
and   H.  Kumler,   jun.,  being  his  colleagues. 

In  1840  John  Russel  established  a  semi- 
monthly German  paper  in  the  city  of  Balti- 
more, called  "Die  Geschaeftige  Martha,"  or 
"Busy  Martha,"  a  paper  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  religion,  generally,  and  specially  to 
the  interests  of  the  United  Brethren  church. 
The  first  number  was  issued  March  7th. 
At  the  general  conference  of  1841,  this 
paper  was  received  into  the  care  of  the 
church,  and  Bishop  Erb  was  elected  its 
Editor  and  Publisher.  The  first  number  of 
the  "Martha,"  under  Mr.  Erb's  manage- 
ment, was  issued  July  1st,  1841.  He  con- 
tinued to  edit  and  publish  this  paper  until 
June  22d,  1842,  when,  for  want  of  sufficient 
patronage,  it   was   discontinued. 

Since  1845  Mr.  Erb  has  been  variously 
employed,  in  the  service  of  the  church,  as 
presiding  elder,  circuit  preacher,  missionary 
in  Canada,  and  agent.  A  descendent,  we 
believe,  of   the  good  old  Mennonites,  he  ex 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     229 

emplifies  their  economical  habits,  plainness  of 
dress,  simplicity,   and  hospitality. 

Among  the  young  men  introduced  into  the 
Pennsylvania  conference  prior  to  1840,  we 
find  the  names  of  George  Miller  and  John 
Fohl. 

GrEORGE  MiLLER  began  to  itinerate  in  this 
conference  in  1833,  in  the  twenty-third  year 
of  his  age;  and  from  1833,  to  1851,  he  ranked 
among  the  most  prominent  and  useful  minis- 
ters in  Pennsylvania.  He  served  the  Penn- 
sylvania conference  five  years  as  a  circuit 
preacher,  three  years  as  a  presiding  elder, 
and  eleven  years  as  a  stationed  preacher. 
During  three  of  those  years  he  was  pas- 
tor of  the  Otterbein  church  in  Baltimore, 
where  he  was  obliged  to  apply  himself  to  the 
study  of  the  German,  for  up  to  the  period 
of  his  appointment  to  this  important  charge, 
he  had  been  but  little  conversant  with  that 
language.  By  the  most  persevering  applica- 
tion to  the  language  he  became  a  correct  and 
forcible  German  preacher.  "I  visited  him 
several  times,"  writes  Mr.  W.  B.  Wagner, 
"while  he  was  in  Baltimore;  and  he  in- 
formed me  that  close  application  to  the  study 
of  the  German,  and  to  pulpit  preparations, 
had  seriously  affected   his   health,    and   had 


230  HISTOllY    OF    THE 

brought  him  frequently  near  the  gates  of 
death."  After  honorably  acquitting  himself 
as  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
in  all  the  fields  assigned  him  in  the  Pennsyl- 
vania conference,  he  emigrated  to  Iowa  in 
1851,  and  was  stationed  that  year  in  Mus- 
catine. In  1852,  he  was  elected  presiding 
elder,  and  in  1853  he  was  again  stationed  in 
Muscatine.  He  continued  to  labor,  with  im-' 
paired  health  however,  until  1858,  when  he 
broke  down  completely,  while  on  Lisbon  sta- 
tion, and  became  the  victim  of  severe  bodily 
afflictions.  He  now  retired  to  his  home  in 
Cedar  Co.,  after  twenty-six  years  of  active 
service  in  the  itineracy,  with  a  faint  ho]:»e 
that  he  might  regain  his  health;  but  on  the 
8th  of  January,  1860,  he  closed  his  eyes 
upon  the  scenes  of  earth,  and  entered  the 
world  of  bliss.  He  had  reached  his  fiftieth 
year. 

Mr.  Miller's  personal  appearance  was  pre- 
possessing, and  his  address  pleasing.  In  the 
pulpit  his  gestures  were  easy  and  express-ive; 
and  his  sermons  clear,  systematic,  and  forc- 
ible. To  the  ministry  of  the  word,  he  gave 
his  heart  and  life.  "His  labors  in  the  Gos- 
pel," writes  Mr.  Wagner,  "will  live  in  the 
hearts  of  thousands  in  the  east   and    in   the 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    231 

west."  What  more  desirable  or  suitable  mon- 
ument for  an  embassador  of  Jesus? 

John  Fohl  was  born  in  Franklin  Co.,  Pa,, 
in  1815.  His  parents  were  Lutherans, — his 
father  an  elder  in  the  church;  but  they  both 
lived  in  ignorance  of  experimental  religion 
until  visited  by  two  devoted  and  simple- 
hearted  United  Brethren  local  preachers,  P. 
Habecker,  and  J.  Dome.  Yet  it  ought  to  be 
added  that  they  diligently  instructed  their 
children  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  In  his  seven- 
teenth year  John  was  converted.  "The  evi- 
dence of  pardon  to  me,"  using  his  own  words, 
"was  as  clear  as  a  sunbeam."  Zeal  for  souls 
now  induced  him  to  appoint  prayer-meetings 
in  his  neighborhood,  at  which  he  exhorted 
sinners  to  repentance.  At  these  meetings  he 
was  instrumental  in  saving  some  souls. 
Through  the  influence  of  the  Lutheran  pas- 
tor he  was  sent  to  Grettysburg  Theological 
Seminary,  but  he  soon  became  satisfied  that 
it  was  not  the  place  for  him.  He  left  the 
seminary  and  returned  home,  with  the  pur- 
pose to  devote  himself,  almost  exclusively,  to 
the  study  of  the  Scriptures. 

In  the  spring  of  1835,  moved  with  pity  for 
the  poor  and  outcast  in  the  mountainous 
regions  of  Pennsylvania,  he  resolved  to  "try 


232  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

the  Spirit."  A  two-month  tour  among  the 
mountains  satisfied  him  that  he  was  called 
of  God  to  preach;  and  in  1836  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Pennsylvania  conference, 
and  appointed  to  Clearfield  circuit — a  circuit 
which  embraced  a  wild,  romantic  region.  The 
streams  were  generally  without  bridges,  and 
wild  cats,  and  wolves,  and  panthers  abounded. 
The  people  were  poor,  and  many  of  them 
wild,  but  they  were  kind.  His  next  circuit 
was  Washington,  in  western  Pennsylvania. 
During  this  year  he  extended  his  work  into 
Grreen  Co.,  Pa,  "The  people  in  this  region 
I  found  exceedingly  rude,"  writes  Mr.  F., 
"yet  every  cabin  door  was  open  for  our  recep- 
tion. They  often  came  to  preaching  through 
the  forest  from  five  to  six  miles,  carrying 
their  guns  with  them,  which  they  would  stack 
in  front  of  the  cabin  during  divine  service." 
After  two  years  service  in  the  mountains 
and  in  western  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  F.  was 
placed  on  Chambersburg  circuit,  having  J.  S. 
Kessler  as  a  colleague.  While  he  labored  at 
Chambersburg,  a  revival  of  remarkable  power 
was  experienced.  Near  one  hundred  persons 
were  converted,  and  among  the  number  sev- 
eral who  have  since  become  excellent  min- 
isters. 


UNITED    BRETHRElSr    IN    CHRIST.     233 

The  year  following  the  great  revival  Cham- 
bersburg  was  made  a  station,  and  Mr.  Folil 
was  placed  in  charge  of  it.  In  1840  he 
was  elected  presiding  elder,  and  placed  on 
Chambersburg  district,  where  he  remained 
three  consecutive  years.  He  continued  to 
labor  in  the  Pennsylvania  and  East  Penn- 
sylvania conferences  with  marked  success 
until  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Indiana, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged,  principally, 
in   the   Sunday-school   cause. 

Jacob  Winter  was  probably  the  most  ef- 
ficient pioneer  evangelist  employed  by  the 
Pennsylvania  conference  in  the  Western  part 
of  the  State.  He  was  born  in  W^ashington 
Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  16th,  1780,  embraced  religion 
in  1801,  and  received  license  to  preach,  from 
the  old  conference,  in  1808.  ''The  United 
Brethren  church  in  western  Pennsylvania," 
writes  Mr.  J.  Fohl,  "w^as  established  princi- 
pally through  his  instrumentality.  For  many 
years  he  labored  extensivel}^,  catechising  the 
youth,  preaching  the  Gospel,  and  establish- 
ing churches.  He  was  a  man  of  warm  heart, 
good  talents,  deep  piety,  and  ardent  zeal. 
He  spoke  the  German  and  English  lan- 
guages with  almost  equal  fluency.  Many 
souls   were   won    to   Christ  as  seals    to    his 


234  nisTOEY  OF  the 

ministiy.  I  shall  never  forget  the  tears  and 
the  admonitions  of  that  man  of  God."  He 
died  October  12th,  1843,  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
having  been  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ  thirty- 
five   years. 

In  1838  the  conference  met  in  Wormleys- 
burg,  Cumberland  Co.,  Pa.,  to  hold  its  eighth 
annual  session.  IN'inety-eight  preachers  were 
enrolled  at  the  opening  of  the  session,  and 
nine  applicants  for  license,  were  author- 
ized to  preach,  and  received  into  conference, 
making  in  all  one  hundred  and  seven.  This 
was,  witliout  doubt,  the  largest  conference  in 
the  connection;  and  every  thing  goes  to  prove 
that  great  prosperity  had  attended  the  labor- 
ers in  the  vineyard.  Only  seven  years  had 
passed  since  the  division  of  the  old  con- 
ference; and  it  now  became  necessary  to 
set  off  a  new  conference  from  the  Penn- 
sylvania conference.  Toward  the  close  of 
the  Wormleysburg   conference,  it  was  asked: 

Question.  Where,  and  when,  shall  our  next 
conference   be   held? 

Anstver.  At  Lebanon,  Pa.,  on  the  second 
Monday  in  March,  1839. 

Question.  Where,  and  when,  shall  the  Alle- 
ghany conference  be  held? 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     235 

Answer.  At  Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland 
county,  Pa.,  on  the  last  Monday  in  March, 
1839. 

It  does  not  appear  from  the  minutes  of 
the  general  conference  of  1837  that  any 
action  was  taken  at  that  conference  in  rela- 
tion to  the  formation  of  a  new  conference 
in  Pennsylvania.  On  the  contrary,  it  may 
be  inferred,  fi'om  a  resolution  adopted  near 
the  close  of  the  session,  in  relation  to  the 
number  of  deleo-ates  each  conference  would 
be  entitled  to  send  to  the  general  conference 
of  1841,  that  a  new  conference  was  not  set 
oif    in   1837.* 

"We  conclude,"  says  Mr.  Hanby,  "that  the 
Pennsylvania  conference  set  off  the  Alleghany 
conference  by  mutual  consent  of  its  mem- 
bers, there  being  at  that  time  no  rule  of 
discipline  forbidding  such  a  course.  The 
same  course  appears  to  have  been  adopted 
by  the  Indiana  conference,  in  setting  off  the 
Wabash  conference  in  1834."  Thus  in  1838 
we  have   three   conferences   on    the   territory 

*  The  general  conference  agreed  that  each  conference  district 
should  send  the  following  number  of  delegates  to  the  nest  ensuing 
general   conference: 

Pennsylvania,  4;,  Virginia,  2;  Scioto,  4;  Miami,  3;  Wabash,  2; 
Indiana,  3  ;  Muskingum,  2;  Sandusky,  2.  Total,  22.— Extract  from 
Minutes. 


236  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

covered  by  the  old    conference   alone  up  to 
1830. 

The  first  session  of  the  Alleghany  confer- 
ence was  held  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  in  March,  1839. 
Bishop  Erb  presided.  The  new  conference 
was  divided  into  five  circuits,  embraced  in 
one  presiding  elder's  district.  Twenty-nine 
members  of  conference  were  enrolled  at  the 
commencement  of  the  session,  and  four  ap- 
plicants for  license  to  j)reach  were  received, 
making  thirty-three  in  all.  J.  R.  Sitman, 
a  devoted  and  faithful  itinerant  minister, 
was  the  first  presiding  elder.  The  growth 
of  the  Alleghany  conference,  from  its  organ- 
ization in  1839,  to  the  present  period,  has 
been  highly  encouraging.  It  is  now  one  of 
the  larger  conferences,  and  has  an  able  and 
effective  ministerial  force. 

Going  back  again  to  the  Pennsylvania 
conference,  we  find  it  still  favored  with  great 
prosperity.  In  1844  ten  candidates  for  the 
ministry  were  received  on  probation;  and 
in  1845  the  conference  had  eighty-three  min- 
isters, local  and  traveling,  three  presiding 
elder's  districts,  and  twenty-one  circuits.  The 
work  by  this  time  had  again  become  so 
large  that  another  conference  might,  with 
propriety,  be    set   off;     and    accordingly,  at 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN     CHRIST.    237 

the    general   conference    of    1845,  the   East 
Pennsylvania  conference  was  formed. 

Now  we  have,  instead  of  the  old  confer- 
ence of  1830,  five  vigorous  conferences  east 
of  the  Pennsylvania  line;  and,  that  we 
may  the  better  appreciate  this  rapid  growth, 
the  fact  of  the  constant  drain  made  upon 
the  east,  both  of  ministers  and  members, 
must  be  considered.  The  west  is  debtor  to 
the  east  for  a  large  number  of  excellent 
members   and   able   ministers. 


238  HISTOEY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  SCIOTO  CONFEREIN'CE — COOXS,  MONTGOM- 
ERY, VANDEMAEK,  AMBROSE,  HASTINGS,  KIN- 
NEY,   HANBY,    EDWARDS,    L.    DAVIS. 

It  has  already  been  stated  that  in  1824 
the  Miami  conference  was  divided,  the  east- 
ern portion  taking  the  name  of  Scioto. 
The  session  of  this  parent  conference  of  the 
west,  prior  to  the  division,  appears  to  have 
been  one  of  great  religious  interest.  .  After 
the  examination  of  the  preachers  had  been 
concluded,  Bishop  Hoffman  delivered  to  them 
a  very  weighty  and  soul-stirring  address,  in 
which  he  particularly  charged  them  to  be 
careful  in  the  reception  of  members  into  the 
church,  and  to  guard  vigilantly  against  the  ad- 
mission of  those  who  have  not  an  evidence  of 
sins  forgiven.  "Had  you  been  there,"  writes 
father  DeWitt,  "and  witnessed  the  piety,  the 
zeal,  and  the  glowing  love  which  seemed  to 
animate  every  bosom,  you  would  have  thought 
yourself  in  the  suburbs  of  the  upper  sanctuary." 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     239 

The  Scioto  conference  held  its  first  ses- 
sion in  June  1825,  in  Fairfield  Co.,  0.  Its 
territory  embraced  the  best  cultivated  por- 
tion of  the  State;  and,  at  its  organization, 
it  was  favored  with  an  excellent  class  of 
itinerant  ministers.  Notice  has  already  been 
taken  of  a  number  of  them.  It  should 
also  be  stated  that  in  1823,  two  years  prior 
to  the  division  of  the  Miami  conference, 
John  Coons  was  admitted  into  the  itineracy; 
and  when  that  division  was  made  he  identi- 
fied  himself    with  the   Scioto   conference. 

Mr,  Coons  was  born  in  Martinsburg,  Ya.., 
Oct.  25th,  1797,  and  was  brought  to  Christ 
in  1821,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Jacob 
Antrim.     He   soon   began   to   preach,  and  in 

1822  was   received   into   the   conference.      In 

1823  he  entered  the  itineracy,  and  was  placed 
on  Washington  circuit.  The  next  year  he 
traveled  Adelphia  circuit;  and  thus,  for  nearly 
thirty>eight  years  his  name  has  been  en- 
rolled on  the  itinerant  list.  He  was  a  dele- 
gate to  the  general  conferences  of  1829-33. 
After  1836  he  served  a  number  of  years  as 
presiding  elder.  In  1837  he  was  again  a 
delegate  to  general  conference,  also  in  1841, 
at  which  conference  he  was  elected  bishop. 
He  filled  the  ofiice  for  four  years,  after  which 


240  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

he    entered    again   upon   the   more    pleasant 
duties  of   a  circuit  and  stationed  preacher. 

At  the  session  of  the  Miami  conference  in 
1824  Joshua  Montgomery  was,  "after  exam- 
ination, cordially  received,"  and  placed  upon 
a  circuit  in  the  Scioto  conference.  Thirty- 
seven  years  of  unswerving  de^^otion  to  the 
Lord's  cause,  the  most  of  the  time  in  the 
itineracy,  has  justified  the  cordiality  with 
which  he  was  received  into  conference.  Being 
a  member  of  the  Scioto  conference  at  its 
organization,  and  filling,  during  the  larger 
part  of  the  time,  the  office  of  presiding  elder, 
he  may  well  be  regarded  as  one  of  its 
fathers;  and  it  is  a  fact  that  no  small 
share  of  the  prosperity  of  the  church,  em- 
braced within  that  district,  must  be  attribu- 
ted to  the  blessing  of    God  upon  his  labors. 

When  he  first  entered  the  ministry  he 
labored  very  unwillingly,  and  only  preached 
from  a  stern  sense  of  duty.  Conversing 
with  a  brother  minister  upon  this  point 
he  said,  with  much  emphasis.  "If  it  were 
not  preach  or  be  damned  I  never  would 
preach   another  sermon!" 

His  friend  answered  with  astonishment, 
"Why,  Joshua,  do  you  love  God?"  It  was 
a  word  in  season.     The  Spirit  fastened  con- 


rXITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     241 

viction  upon  his  neart;  and  from  that  hour 
he  rested  not  till  he  obtained  a  victory,  and 
could  even  thank  Grod  for  the  privilege  of 
preaching  Christ.  From  that  time  forward 
his  labors  were  blessed  as  they  never  had 
been  before. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  general  conference 
of  1841,  and  of  each  succeeding  general 
conference;  and  his  gentlemanly  deportment, 
frank  and  bold  expression  of  sentiments, 
firm  attachment  to  the  doctrine  and  discip- 
line of  the  church,  forcible,  and  often  eloquent, 
address,  and  thorough  earnestness,  have 
given  to  him  a  very  decided  and  salutary 
influence  in  all  those  quadrennial  assemblies.. 

In  person  Mr.  Montgomery  is  short,  and 
thick  set.  He  has  a  fine  forehead,  and  his 
heavy  eyebrows  give  him  a  look  of  severity; 
yet  no  kinder  heart  OA^er  beat.  Thirty-seven 
years  of  persevering  service  in  the  ministry 
have  not  brought  wealth,  nor  even  a  com- 
petence; but  they  have  sprinkled  his  head 
with  gray,  and  made  his  step  feeble;  yet 
the  old  soldier  is   still   at  his   post. 

Elias  Yandemark  was  added  to  the  itin- 
erant force  in  1829,  the  year  that  the  la- 
mented Steward  went  to  his  reward.  With 
a  good  voice,  great  zeal,  a  warm  heart,  and 
Vol.  II.— 16. 


242  HISTORY    OF    THE 

deep  attachment  to  the  church,  Mr.  Vande- 
mark,  through  evil  rejoort  and  good  report, 
toiled  for  the  spread  of  religion  in  the 
Scioto  conference  for  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years;  and,  during  the  quarter  of  a  century 
of  his  active  labors  as  a  minister,  he  won 
many  souls  to  Christ.  During  the  few  past 
years  age  and  infirmities  have  placed  him 
on  the  superannuated  list.  Poverty  has  been, 
and  is  still,  his  portion.  0  how  many  of 
our  dear  fathers  in  the  ministry,  being  poor, 
like   the   Master,  have   made   many  rich. 

William  Ambrose  was  identified  with  the 
Scioto  conference  from  its  organization  up  to 
1850.  He  was  born  in  Maryland,  in  1770; 
embraced  religion  in  Virginia  in  1789;  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1792;  and,  in  1808, 
was  authorized  to  administer  all  the  ordi- 
nances. In  1812  he  made  an  extensive 
preaching  tour  through  portions  of  Virginia, 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  and  Kentucky,  in  com- 
pany with  bishop  Newcomer.  In  1815  he 
removed  from  Virginia  to  Highland  county, 
Ohio;  and  in  1819  Nathaniel  Havens  took 
up  an  appointment  at  his  house.  The  fol- 
lowing year,  under  the  labors  of  John  De- 
Witt  and  Henry  Bonebrake,  a  revival  of 
religion  was  promoted  in  his   neighborhood, 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.    243 

which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  an 
excellent   church. 

Mr.  Ambrose  served  a  number  of  years 
as  a  local  presiding  elder,  and  to  the  period 
of  his  death  was  diligently  engaged  in  what- 
ever work  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  required 
at   his   hands. 

Bishop  Edwards  relates  of  him  the  fol- 
lowing anecdote:  "In  preaching  a  sermon 
at  the  Scioto  conference  on  the  Call  to  the 
Ministry,  he  took  occasion  to  refer  to  his 
own  experience,  stating  that  soon  after  his 
conversion  some  of  his  friends  wished  him 
to  attend  college,  in  order  to  prepare  him- 
self for  the  ministry.  'But,'  said  he,  in 
his  peculiarly  dry  way,  'if  I  had  gone  I 
expect  I  should  have  come  out  as  Aaron's 
gold  came  out  of   the  fire.'" 

On  the  23d  of  August,  1850,  he  died  in 
holy  triumph.  Two  of  his  sons,  Matthias 
and  Lewis,  grandsons  of  Christian  Crum,  are 
also  worthy  ministers,  now  of  the  Illinois 
conference. 

Matthias,  the  eldest  son,  entered  the  Scioto 
conference  in  1833,  since  which  time,  as 
circuit  preacher,  and  presiding  elder,  he  has 
rendered  important  service  to  the  cause  of 
evangelical  religion.    He  is  a  man  of  blameless 


244  HISTORY    OF    THE 

life,  and,  although  humble  and  retiring,  an 
unfaltering  advocate  and  defender  of  the 
truth.  He  was  a  member  of  the  general 
conferences   of    1845,  1849,  and   1853. 

William  Hastings  deserves  notice  as  a 
distinguished  minister  in  this  conference. 
He  was  born  in  New  Hampshire;  embraced 
religion  in  Vermont,  but  did  not  unite  with 
any  church;  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1813;  and, 
in  1828,  joined  the  Scioto  conference,  and 
entered  the  itinerant  ranks.  Bishop  Edwards, 
who  knew  him  well,  says  of  him:  "He 
was  a  man  of  good  information  and  excel- 
lent sense,  an  extraordinary  preacher  and  a 
first-rate  counsellor.  His  remarks  in  debate 
were  often  sharp  and  cutting  to  his  peers, 
but  he  was  always  on  the  side  of  mercy 
toward  the  fallen  or  the  accused.  The 
following  anecdote  is  illustrative  of  his  gen- 
eral course  in  dealing  with  accused  brethren: 

"A  quarterly  conference  minister  on  the 
circuit  on  which  Mr.  H.  lived  was  accused 
of  immoral  conduct.  A  proposition  was 
made  to  the  conference  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  on  the  offending  brother,  and 
report  to  the  next  quarterly  conference.  One 
of  the  ministers  on  the  circuit,  a  young 
man  full  of   zeal  and  anxious  for  a  revival, 


UNITED    BRETIIRE?^     IN    CHRIST.    245 

thinking  it  would  never  do  to  wait  a  whole 
quarter  for  final  action,  urged  that  some- 
thing ought  to  be  done  immediately,  gi^'ing 
as  a  reason  that  the  cause  was  in  danger. 
Mr.  H.,  arose  and  replied,  with  a  sarcastic, 
Yankee  twang,  'The  cause,  the  cause!  the 
young  brother  seems  very  much  concerned 
about  the  cause.  The  cause  is  God's,  and 
the  gates  of  hell  can't  prevail  against  it. 
Let  us  do  rio'ht,  and  ^'ive  the  brother  a 
chance  for  his  life.  God  will  take  care  of 
the  cause.'  This  was  a  settler;  but  it  taught 
the  young  i^reacher  a  much-needed  lesson, 
which  is  still  remembered.  And  further  to 
vindicate  the  wisdom  of  the  course  pursued, 
God  poured  out  his  Spirit,  and  a  powerful 
revival  followed  near  the  vicinity  of  the 
accused  brother's  residence  before  the  three 
months   had  expired." 

During  his  last  illness  he  said,  "If  I  had 
my  life  to  live  over  again,  I  would  preach  as 
long  as  I  could  speak  ten  minutes  at  a  time." 
At  another  time  he  said  "Oh,  Royal,  ad- 
dressing his  son,  who  was  also  a  minister, 
"let  not  the  love  of  the  world  prevent  you 
from  preaching  the  gospel." 

Although  in  quite  limited  circumstances, 
he    bequeathed    $100    to    missions,   and    the 


246  HISTORY    OF    THE 

interest  of  i|100  for  ten  years  to  aid  in 
supporting  preaching  near  his  residence. 
■  The  rapid  growth  of  the  Scioto  confer- 
ence, its  geographical  position,  and  the  char- 
acter of  its  ministry,  soon  gave  to  it  the 
position  of  a  leading  conference;  and,  when 
the  church's  press  was  established  in  1834, 
it  was  placed,  in  the  intervals  of  the  gen- 
eral conference,  under  the  management  of 
this  conference.  This  supervisory  authority 
was  retained  until  1853.  Of  the  men,  not 
already  named,  who  were  identified  with  this 
conference  prior  to  1840,  and  who  have  taken 
a  leading  part  in  her  counsels  and  in  the 
counsels  of  the  church,  a  few  more  must  be 
noticed. 

Among  the  first  of  these  stands  the  name 
of  the  lamented  James  Kixney,  of  whose 
life  and  labors  only  a  meager  sketch  has 
been  preserved.  Mr.  Kinney's  parents  emi- 
grated from  Ireland  to  Pennsylvania, — thence 
to  Knox  county,  Ohio.  Of  six  children  he 
was  the  second.  As  his  parents  were  very 
poor,  and  the  country  almost  an  unbroken 
wilderness,  his  education  was  entirely  neg- 
lected. At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  was 
converted,  and  called  to  preach;  and,  although 
he  could   not  read  a  text,  he  was   not  dis- 


UNITED    BRETHREN"    IN    CHRIST.     247 

obedient  to  the  heavenly  calling.  With  such 
knowledge  as  he  had,  drawing  largely  upon 
his  own  experience,  he  lifted  up  his  youth- 
ful voice  in  the  wilderness;  and  not  a  few 
of  the  new  settlers  -were  brought  to  Jesus 
through   his    instrumentality. 

He  was  not  content,  however,  to  remain 
in  ignorance.  He  first  learned  to  read,  and 
then  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  Eng- 
lish Grammar,  and  to  some  of  the  best 
theological  works.  Aided  by  some  well-in- 
formed friends,  he  made  rapid  advancement 
in  his  studies;  meanwhile  he  ceased  not  to 
preach  wherever  opportunity  oifered.  In  his 
twenty-first  year  he  was  married,  and,  some 
time  afterward,  was  received  into  the  Scioto 
conference,  and  admitted  into  the  itineracy. 
Here  a  wide  field  of  usefulness  was  opened 
before  him,  and  he  seemed  to  be  thoroughly 
furnished  for  the  work.  The  church  was 
at-  that  time  in  transition  from  the  German 
to  the  English;  and  the  demand  for  well- 
qualified,  zealous,  and  self-sacrificing  English 
preachers  was   exceedingly  pressing. 

From  the  time  he  was  received  into  the 
Scioto  conference,  until  his  death,  a  period 
of  scarcely  ten  years,  no  man  in  the  church 
labored  with   more  success.      He  gave  him- 


248  HISTOllY    OF    THE 

self  wholly  to  the  ministry  of  the  word.  He 
went  forth  as  a  flaming  herald  of  salvation. 
A  portion  of  the  time  he  filled  the  office  of  pre- 
siding elder,  being  elected  in  1829,  He  was 
a  member  of  the  general  conference  in  1829. 
But,  like  many  of  God's  chosen  vessels,  he 
was  the  child  of  affliction,  and  the  time  allot- 
ted for  his  earthly  labors  was  short. 

About  two  years  previous  to  his  death  he  suf- 
fered greatly,  from  a  most  painful  abscess  in 
his  side,  yet  he  did  not  cease  to  travel  and 
to  preach,  patiently  enduring  his  affliction. 
His  last  sermon  was  preached  at  a  camp- 
meeting  on  Pleasant  Run,  four  miles  east  of 
Lancaster,  0.  One  who  heard  him  on  that 
occasion,  says: — "When  he  ascended  the  pul- 
pit, raised  his  withered  hands  in  prayer,  and 
turned  his  pale  face  toward  the  Majesty  on 
high,  it  seemed  as  though  his  sainted  sj^irit 
was  stealing  away  from  his  bosom,  and  as- 
cending with  his  trembling  breath,  to'  the 
mansions  above!" 

He  arose  before  the  assembled  thousands, 
and  announced  his  text, —  "If  our  Gospel  be 
hid  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost," — with 
the  presentiment  that  he  was  preaching  his 
last  sermon,  and  he  seemed  to  be  especially 
strengthened    for    the    occasion.       His    clear 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     249 

voice  penetrated  every  ear,  and  its  melting 
tones  brought  tears  from  every  eye.  One 
who  heard  him  on  that  occasion,  after  nearly 
thirty  years  had  passed,  remarked  to  the 
writer  that  the  tones  of  his  voice,  as  he 
quoted  this  scripture,  "Oh  that  they  were 
wise,"  etc.,  seemed  fresh  in  his  memory  as 
if  he  had  heard  them  but  yesterday.  He 
possessed  much  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  power  of 
emphasis.  After  concluding  his  sermon,  which 
resulted  in  many  conversions,  he  remarked, 
"My  earthly  labors  are  done."  He  was  taken 
to  the  hospitable  residence  of  D.  Mechlin, 
near  the  camp-ground,  where  he  lingered 
until  the  15th  of  February,  1832,  when  he 
died  in  great  peace,  in  the  32nd  year  of  his 
Sige.  It  need  scarcely  be  added  that  his  vic- 
tory in  death  was  complete. 

With  the  subdued  gladness  of  a  weary 
traveler  who  is  preparing  to  set  sail  in  a 
vessel  homeward  bound,  one  week  before  his 
death  he  made  preparations  for  his  funeral, 
selected  a  brother*  to  preach  it,  the  text  he 
should  use,  and  then  designated  the  hour 
when  his  friends  should  call  to  witness  his 
departure;   and,   at  the   appointed   hour,    tri' 

*  Kev.  J.  Russel, 


250  HISTORY    OF    THE 

umphing  in  redeeming  grace,  he  set  sail  for 
the  heavenly  port. 

In  hight,  Mr.  Kinney  was  six  feet;  frame 
spare,  eyes  deep  blue  and  penetrating;  com- 
plexion light.  In  conversation  he  was  lively, 
and  yet  no  one  could  be  in  his  company  long 
without  feeling  the  influence  of  the  deep-toned 
piety  which  he  undoubtedly  possessed.  His 
memory  was  very  retentive,  and  this  enabled 
him,  with  all  his  disadvantages,  to  acquire  a 
large  fund  of  knowledge,  in  a  few  years.  As 
a  preacher  he  was  systematic,  strictly  so ;  and 
he  had  the  rare  faculty  of  following  up  an 
argument,  which  convinced  the  judgment, 
with  an  appeal  which  seldom  failed  to  melt 
the  heart.  His  manner  was  mild  and  per- 
suasive; yet  none  were  more  faithful  in  ex- 
posing sin.  He  never  daubed  with  "untem- 
pered  mortar." 

He  was  remarkably  punctual  in  fulfilling 
his  appointments.  One  anecdote,  illustrative 
of  this  trait  in  his  character,  is  related  of  him.* 
He  had  agreed  to  preach  at  the  infirmary  in 
Fairfield  Co.  When  the  day  arrived,  he  was 
some  ten  miles  distant,  and  the  clouds  were 
pouring  down  rain.  He  was  entreated  not  to 
go;  and  when  the  argument  that  God  did  not 

*  By  J.  Montgomery. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    251 

require  such  sacrifices  was  pressed,  he  only 
replied, — "God  has  called  me  to  preach  the 
Gospel  to  the  poor,  and  I  must  go." 

He  dearly  loved  the  truth,  and  was  a 
staunch  defender  of  those  peculiar  principles 
which  have  subjected  our  church  to  the 
frowns  of  the  world,  and  the  opposition  of 
compromising  churches. 

In  1833  William  Hanby  was  admitted 
into  the  Scioto  conference.  The  prominent 
part  which  he  has  acted  in  the  history  of  the 
church  will  make  a  sketch  of  his  life  inter- 
esting. Mr.  Hanby  was  born  in  Washington 
Co.,  Pa.,  April  8th,  1808.  Being  an  orphan, 
he  felt,  in  early  childhood,  the  jDinching  hand 
of  w^ant;  when  but  a  small  boy  he  was  bound 
out  to  a  Quaker,  where  he  received  excellent 
moral  and  religious  instruction.  At  sixteen 
he  was  apprenticed  to  a  saddler.  In  1828. 
without  money,  and  alone,  he  left  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  seek  his  fortune  in  Ohio.  It  pleased 
God  to  lead  him  into  a  pious  United  Brethren 
family,  at  Paishville,  0.;  and  it  was  not  long 
until  he  sought  and  found  the  Lord.  At  a 
school-house  in  Perry  Co.,  in  1830,  invited  by 
N.  Havens,  he  went  to  the  mourner's  bench, 
under    an    overwhelming    sense    of    his    lost 


252  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

estate,  and  before  lie  left  it,  found  peace  in 
believing. 

Soon  after  his  conversion,  and  unexpectedly 
to  him,  a  license  to  exhort  was  handed 
him  by  John  Russel,  then  presiding  elder  in 
Scioto  conference.  In  1832  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  and  in  1833  was  received,  as  al- 
ready stated,  into  the  Scioto  conference.  He 
was  placed  on  Wolf  creek  circuit,  then  two 
hundred  and  seventy  miles  around,  including 
twenty-eight  appointments.  The  net  increase 
of  numbers  on  the  circuit  was  one  hundred. 
In  1834  he  was  elected  presiding  elder,  hi? 
district  embracing  the  whole  conference  com- 
posed of  ten  circuits.  In  the  service  of  this 
district  during  this  year,  he  traveled  on 
horseback  four  thousand  miles.  He  continued 
to  serve  the  conference  as  presiding  elder 
until  1837,  when  he  was  appointed  by  the 
general  conference,  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, Greneral  Book  Agent  and  Treasurer  of 
the  church's  printing  establishment  at  Circle- 
ville.  In  1839  he  was  appointed  editor,  in 
place  of  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  resigned.  The 
general  conference  of  1841  continued  him  in 
the  editorial  chair. 

In  1845  he  was  elected  bishop.  In  1849  he 
was  again  elected  editor  of  the  Telescope.     In 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     253 

March  1852,  in  order  that  he  might  devote  him- 
self wholly  to  the  financial  interests  of  the 
c  stablishment,  he  resigned.  Since  1853  he  has 
sustained  a  somewhat  retired  relation  to  the 
cause,  owing  to  the  partial  failure  of  his 
health.  From  1834  to  1853,  a  period  of 
twenty  years,  his  influence  in  the  church  was 
decided  and  salutary.  In  the  da3"s  of  his 
health  and  vigor,  he  was  a  stirring  and  very 
effective  preacher.  As  a  financier,  he  prob- 
ably saved  the  Telescope  office  from  a  dis- 
graceful wreck;  and  as  a  bishop  he  did  much 
to  establish  order,  especially  in  the  business 
affairs  of  the  conferences. 

He  contributed  very  materially  to  the  prog- 
ress f  Scioto  conference,  especially  from  1834 
to  1840. 

David  Edwards  was  born  five  miles  from 
Llanvullin,  North  Wales,  May  5th,  1816. 
His  parents  emigrated  to  this  country  in 
1821,  and  after  a  residence  of  two  years  near 
Baltimore,  Md.,  settled  in  Delaware  Co.,  0., 
where,  in  1825,  his  father  died.  Soon  after 
the  decease  of  his  father,  David  was  placed 
in  a  woolen-factory,  to  learn  the  trade  of  card- 
ing and  cloth-dressing.  At  seventeen  he  com- 
menced tramping  as  a  journeyman,  and  at 
eighteen  was  converted,  near  Lancaster,  Fair- 


254  HISTOBY    OF    THE 

field  Co.,  0.  Less  than  a  year  after  his  con- 
Tersion  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  His  first 
license  is  dated  May  23rd,  1835.  In  Novem- 
ber of  the  same  year  he  commenced  to  fill 
vacancies  on  Pickaway  circuit,  and  in  the' 
spring  of  1836,  as  already  stated,  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Scioto  conference.  He  was 
received  into  the  traveling  connection,  and 
with  John  Eckert*  for  a  colleague,  was  placed 
on  Brush  creek  circuit, — a  circuit  which  em- 
braced a  large  part  of  the  counties  of  Ross, 
Pike,  Adams,  Brown,  and  Highland,  and 
was  three  hundred  and  sixty  miles  around. 
Twenty-eight  regular  appointments  were  filled 
on  each  round.  During  the  third  and  fourth 
years  of  his  itinerant  labors,  his  work  lay  in 
the  hilly  regions  of  south-eastern  Ohio,  where 
he  was  not  unfrequently  in  danger  of  being 
mobbed  for  his  bold  utterance  of  the  truth. 

About  the  time  Mr.  Edwards  entered  the 
ministry,  the  Religious  Telescope  was  started 
at  Circleville,  to  which  he  became  an  occa- 
sional contributor.  His  contributions  were 
always  in  good  taste,  and  evinced  a  well-in- 
formed and  discriminating  mind.     In  1845  he 

*  Joan  Eckert  was  a  zealous  German.  He  made  two  Tisits  to  Ger- 
many to  preach,  where  he  had  some  success,  and  was  imprisoned  for 
conscience  sake.    He  was  a  good  man — a  little  singular. 


tJNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     255 

was  elected  editor  of  the  Telescojpe.  Though 
not  fond  of  writing,  and  greatly  preferring 
the  pulpit  to  the  pen,  he  gave  to  the  paper  a 
character  which  it  had  never  before  attained. 
His  editorials  were  carefully  prepared,  pointed 
and  instructive.  In  1849  he  was  elected 
bishop,  and  at  each  succeeding  g'eneral  confer- 
ence since,  has  been  re-elected.  Although  he 
has  suffered  much  from  bodily  pain,  the  marks 
of  which  are  expressed  upon  his  countenance, 
yet  as  a  bishop  he  ajopears  to  act  upon  the 
motto,  "whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do, 
do  it  with  thy  might."  His  influence  as 
a  circuit  preacher,  presiding  elder,  editor,  and 
especially  as  bishop,  has  been  good,  always 
good.  A  rigid  disciplinarian,  a  thorough  and 
systematic  preacher,  an  untiring  laborer,  and 
a  close  student,  his  influence  upon  the  church 
in  the  west  has  been  almost  incalculable. 
Bishop  Edwards  is  about  five  feet  ten,  is  a 
little  awkwardly  built,  has  a  remarkably 
penetrating  eye,  deeply  set  underneath  a  high 
overarching  forehead.  His  mouth,  and,  espe- 
cially the  set  of  his  teeth,  seem  to  say,  "You 
can  neither  coax  nor  drive  me  from  what  I 
believe  to  be  right."  Although  he  possesses 
a  kind  nature,  yet  his  stern  adherence  to 
his  convictions  makes  him  sometimes  appear 


256  HISTORY    OF    THE 

to  be  unnecessaril}'  rigid.  The  men  on  whom 
God  places  the  great  responsibility  of  guard- 
ing the  outposts  of  the  church,  will  always 
appear  to  the  enemies  of  the  truth  to  be 
altogether  too  tenacious.  They  would  greatly 
prefer  to  see  those  posts  manned  by  less 
conscientious  and  more  yielding  natures. 

The  accession  of  Mr.  Edwards  to  the  itin- 
eracy of  the  Scioto  conference,  contributed  no 
little  to  its  prosperity. 

L.  Daa^is  was  received  in  1839.  He  was 
born  in  Botetourt  Co.,  Va.,  in  1814,  and  in 
the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age  was  converted. 
For  some  time  after  his  conversion  he  united 
with  no  church;  but,  at  length,  forming  an 
acquaintance  with  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  he  cast  in  his  lot  with  them,  was 
recommended  to  the  Scioto  conference,  and 
licensed  to  preach.  Being  a  man  of  studious 
habits  and  of  superior  mind,  and  uniting 
great  firmness  with  sincere  piety,  he  soon 
began  to  wield  a  decided  influence  in  the 
conference  and  in  the  church.  He  was  one 
of  the  earliest,  as  he  has  been  one  of  the 
most  persevering,  friends  of  colleges  under 
the  patronage  and  control  of  the  church;  and 
he  was  chosen  President  of  the  church's  first 
college.     In  1853,  quite  unexpectedl}^  to  him- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     257 

self,  he  was  elected  bishop,  and  in  1857  ho 
was  re-elected.  Dignified,  calm,  clear-headed, 
and  imj^artial,  Mr.  Davis  has  always  rendered 
thorough  satisfaction  as  a  presiding  officer. 
In  June  1860,  he  was  again  called  to  the 
presidency  of  Otterbein  University, 

Vol.  II.— 17. 


258  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

OUTGROWTHS  OF  THE  MIAMI  CONFERENCE- 
INDIANA,  WABASH,  ETC. WHITCOM,  FARM- 
ER, MAHAN — THE  WORK  IN  ILLINOIS — J. 
DAVIS,  W.  DAVIS,  MORGAN,  GRIFFITH,  KENO- 
YER   AND    HOOBLER. 

We  have  already  seen  that  in  1825  the 
old  Miami  conference  was  divided,  the  east 
part  taking  the  name  of  Scioto.  Fonr  years 
after,  in  1829,  another  conference  was  formed 
out  of  the  west  part  of  the  territory  of 
the  Miami,  and  called  Indiana  conference. 
And  it  may  be  well  enough  to  state  here, 
that  in  1853  another  flourishing  conference, 
the  Auglaize,  was  set  off  from  the  North 
part  of  the  vigorous  old  mother  conference 
of  the  West,  while,  at  the  same  time,  a 
large  contribution  of  ministers  and  mem- 
bers Avas  made  by  her  to  the  German  con- 
ference. 

In  May,  1829,  the  preachers  in  Indiana 
met   for  the   last  time  in  the  old  conference. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    259 

We  give  the  allotments  of  labor  for  that 
portion  of  the  work  which  constituted  the 
new  conference: 

JVAite  Water:  John  McXamar,  presiding 
elder.  D.  Bonebrake  and  IN".  Ross,  circuit 
preachers. 

Charlestown:  Geo.  Brown,  presiding  elder. 
Benjamin  Abbott,  circuit   preacher. 

Orange:  Francis  Whitcom,  presiding  elder. 
A.   Farmer   and  A.  Stacy,  circuit  preachers. 

Flat  Rock:  John  Morgan,  presiding  elder. 
D.    Thomas,  circuit   j)reacher. 

The  Wabash:  John    Denham. 

Thus  the  Indiana  conference,  at  its  organ- 
ization, had  five  circuits,  a  number  of  first- 
class  itinerant  preachers,  and  a  territory, 
of  large  extent,  rapidly  filling  up  by  emi- 
gration  from   the  older   states. 

The  good  work,  between  1829  and  1833, 
was  extended  in  all  directions,  especially 
toward  the  northern  and  western  portions 
of  the  State.  The  missionaries  of  the  con- 
ference found  their  way,  during  those  years, 
into  the  St.  Joseph  country,  in  the  north- 
west, and  across  the  Wabash  into  Illinois 
in  the  West;  where  the}^  formed  societies, 
out  of  which  have  since  grown  conference 
districts. 


260  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Among  the  efficient  laborers  in  this  confer- 
ence, during  its  infancy,  Feancis  Whitcom 
deserves  a  prominent  place.  He  was  an 
able  preacher,  and  an  indefatigable  laborer. 
He  toiled  on  in  the  cause  he  loved  so  well 
until  1846,  when  he  left  his  field  of  labor 
for  the  sick-room,  where,  on  the  16th  of 
December,  he  died.  His  language  during 
his  illness,  and  at  the  hour  of  his  dej)arture 
was,  ^'•all  is  well."  His  -body  sleeps  in  a 
quiet  rural  graveyard,  near  Elkhart,  Ind. 
He  yet  speaks  through  many  who  were 
brought   to   Christ-  through   his   labors. 

But  no  one  of  the  pioneers  in  Indiana, 
and  in  the  Indiana  conferences,  rendered 
more  distinguished  service  to  the  cause  of 
Christ,  between  1825  and  1839,  than  Aaron 
Farmer. 

Born  among  the  poor,  and  in  a  new 
country,  his  early  advantages  were  few. 
Soon  after  his  conversion,  with  quite  a  lim- 
ited education,  he  entered  the  ministry,  and, 
as  early  as  1824,  was  employed  as  an  itin- 
erant. His  first  circuit.  Orange,  embraced 
portions  of  five  sparsely-settled  counties. 
The  people  lived  in  log  cabins;  and  dim 
paths,  across  unbridged  streams,  and  through 
deep   forests,  led    from    appointment    to  ap- 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     261 

pointment.  When  Mr.  Farmer  commenced 
his  labors  on  Orange  circuit  he  was  about 
twenty-five  years   of    age. 

He  was  retained  on  that  circuit  three 
consecutive  years,  with  constantly-increasing 
popularity  and  usefulness;  and,  by  the  time 
he  had  closed  his  labors  there,  he  had 
obtained  such  distinction  as  a  preacher  that 
he  was  sought  for  beyond  the  limits  of  any 
circuit  or  mission  the  conference  might  as- 
sign him.  Having  the  heart  of  a  ]3ioneer 
missionary,  he  could  not  neglect  the  calls 
from  the  scattered  sheep,  although  the  labor 
which  an  acceptance  of  those  calls  involved 
was  immense.  "I  have  known  him,"  sa3^s 
an  intimate  friend,*  "to  ride  forty  miles, 
and  preach  three  sermons  in  a  day;  and 
although  unbridged  streams  of  high  water 
might  cross  his  path,  he  never  hesitated  to 
swim  them,  no  matter  how  great  the  danger 
or   the   exposure  incurred." 

During  the  first  three  years  of  his  min- 
istry, among  the  young  men  awakened  and 
converted  through  his  instrumentality,  were 
a  number  who  have  since  become  eminently 
useful  preachers.  He  seldom  preached  to  a 
tearless    congregation ;     and    few    men    have 

*  'William  Davis. 


262  HISTORY    OF    THE 

been  more  successful  in  winning  souls,  AYlier- 
ever  he  went,  for  a  period  of  sixteen  years, 
the  people  flocked  in  crowds  to  hear  him; 
and  he  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  added 
unto  the  church,  almost  daily,  such  as  are 
saved. 

At  one  period  of  his  short  career  he  took 
a  long  preaching  tour,  during  w^hich  he  visited 
portions  of  Illinois,  Missouri,  and  Tennessee. 

The  support  which  he  received  was  ex- 
tremely meager,  yet  he  endured  hardness  as 
a  good  soldier,  A  few  days  before  his 
demise,  and  while  lying  upon  a  sick-bed, 
conversing  with  a  brother*  about  the  hard- 
ships to  which  the  pioneer  ministers  were 
necessarily  subjected,  he  said — "x\lthough  I 
have  faced  the  fierce  winds,  and  often  almost 
perished  with  cold;  and  although  I  have 
been  sent  many  miles  from  home,  and  have 
received  very  little  support,  yet,  should  I 
never  meet  my  brethren  in  conference  again, 
they  will  bear  me  witness  that  I  never 
complained." 

It  has  already  been  remarked  that  his 
early  advantages  were  poor,  and  that  he 
entered  the  ministry  with  a  very  limited 
store   of    knowledge.      This  is  true,    yet  few 

*  John  Morgan. 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     263 

men,  during  the  incessant  toils  of  a  pioneer 
itinerant  life,  have  cultivated  their  talents 
with  more  assiduity.  .  He  was  an  earnest 
student.  He  stored  his  mind  with  knowl- 
edge, and  became  a  workman  that  needed 
not  to  be  ashamed  in  any  pulpit.  His  talents 
for  writing  were  cultivated,  and  in  1830, 
four  j^ears  before  the  first  copy  of  the 
Meligious  Telescope  was  issued,  he  commenced 
the  publication,  on  his  own  pecuniary  re- 
sponsibilit}',  of  a  monthly  periodical,  called 
^^Zfon\?  Advocate.''^  This  paper,  issued  at 
Salem,  Ind.,  was  not  well  sustained,  and,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  its  publication  was  nec- 
essarily suspended  after  a  fair  trial  had 
been   mad^e. 

When  Mr.  Farmer  died  he  was  presiding 
elder  of  the  Indianapolis  district.  On  the 
29th  of  January-,  1838,  he  wrote:— "For  the 
last  three  or  four  months  there  has  been 
a  gradual  increase  of  the  spirit  of  hunger- 
ing and  thirsting  after  righteousness  in  the 
ehurch — a  deep  loathing  of  self  before  God, 
and  yet  longing  to  know  and  enjoy  all  the 
fullness  of  the  Gospel  dispensation.  Our 
prayer-meetings  are  better  attended,  and  a 
spirit  of  intercession  prevails  in  the  con- 
gregations generally.      There  is  an   enlarged 


264  HISTOEY    OP    THE 

state  of  mind.  Many  seem  pierced  with 
conscious  guilt;  and  we  are  looking  to  the 
Great  Head  of  the  church  for  the  set  time 
to  favor  Zion." 

A  letter  written  about  six  months  pre- 
vious to  his  death  must  be  cojDied,  as  it 
gives  us  a  clear  insight  into  his  character 
and  labors,  and  contains  a  very  tender  allu- 
sion to  the  partner  of    his   toils. 

"We  commenced  our  fourth  quarterly  meet- 
ing on  Indianapolis  circuit  the  last  Saturday 
in  July.  After  communion  on  Sabbath  even- 
ing, God  was  with  us  in  divine  i^ower — 
saints  rejoiced  and  sinners  wept.  *  *  * 
At  a  two-day's  meeting  in  the  wilds  of 
Indiana,  on  Cicero  Creek,  near  the  Miami 
Indian  Reserve,  God  was  with  us  of  a  truth. 
At  the  close  there  were  but  few  who  did 
not  come  forward  and  give  their  hands, 
desiring  to  be  prayed  for.  We  had  to 
leave  them  in  deep  lamentation.  0  God, 
carry  on  thy  work  in  their  hearts!  On 
Tuesday,  in  company  with  Bro.  Davis,  I 
preached  in  Andersontown,  Ind.,  to  a  large 
and  mixed  assembly — infidels,  of  ancient  and 
modern  tjrpe,  and  some  true  believers  and 
friends  of  God  and  man.  On  Friday  our 
first  camp-meeting  commenced   near  Middle* 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     265 

town,  Ind.     *     *     Every  sermon  and  prayer 
seemed    seasoned.      There    were    no    visible 
awakenings  until  the  afternoon  of  the  second 
da}^,  when  the   cries   of    sinners  were  heard. 
On  Monday  a  number  were  converted.     Other 
appointments   compelled    me    to    close    with 
great  reluctance,  leaving,  perhaps,  fifty  trem- 
bling mourners.      I  pursued  my  way  to  the 
second     camp-meeting,     preaching     twice     a 
day.     Reached  the  camp  ground,  near  Indian- 
apolis,   on    Friday,    10th.      I  delivered    two 
discourses    on    Saturday   and    Sunday,  from 
Romans  12th.     The  milk-and-water  professors 
began   to    be    provoked    to    good   works.     * 
The  meeting  gradually  grew  better.     *     *     j 
introduced    the    love-feast    before    sacrament 
Sunday  night.     It  was  commenced  with  God 
in    our    midst.      There    appeared    to    be    a 
general   struggle  for  full   redemption   in  the 
blood    of   the    Lamb.      The    love-feast    con- 
tinued until    near    midnight.      We    met  on 
Monday  to  take   our  leave   of    each  other — 
a  time    not    soon    forgotten.      After  a  fare-» 
well    sermon    by  Bro.  Ball,  we   met    at   the 
table  of  our  Father.      There  I  met  my  dear 
Gitty,  who  had  rode  forty  miles  to  meet  me 
at  the   Lord's  table,  where  He  was  manifest 
unto  us    'in  the    breaking  of   bread,'      We 


266  HISTORY    OF    THE 

could  say,  surely  God  is  here  and  we  know 
it.  After  my  wife  Gitty  had  recovered  her 
strength  (for  she  had  lain  helpless  under 
the  230wer  of  God  for  some  minutes),  we 
took  the  parting  hand,  in  anticipation  of 
meeting  where  there  will  be  no  more  part- 
ing." Thus,  near  the  grave,  toiled  this 
unwearied   itinerant. 

On  the  1st  day  of  March,  1839,  he  died 
in  great  peace.  Just  before  he  died,  while 
his  neighbors  were  conversing  around  his 
bed,  he  asked  them  to  be  quiet.  "Gitty," 
said  he,  for  this  was  the  familiiir  name  by 
which  he  called  his  dear  wife,  "Gitty,  come 
here,  and  listen."  "To  what  shall  I  listen," 
she  replied.  "Why,"  said  he,  in  surprise, 
"don't  you  hear  that  singing?"  "I^o,"  said 
she,  "I  do  not."  "0,"  he  continued,  listen- 
ing again,  "it  is  the  sweetest  music  I  have 
ever  heard  in  my  life.  The  heavenly  mes- 
seno-ers  are  come  for  me,  and  I  must  i>-o." 
With  this  he  asked  them  to  raise  him  up 
and  give  him  some  water.  He  took  the 
cup,  drank,  and  then,  with  a  smile,  closed 
his  eyes  in  death.  He  died  when  about  forty 
years  of    age. 

In  person  Mr.  Farmer  was  quite  j^repos- 
sessing,      Hight  five    feet  ten,  firmly    built, 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHEIST.     267 

face  round  and  full,  forehead  broad  and  high, 
chest  full.  His  personal  piety  was  deep. 
'No  one  ever  questioned  that.  He  had  a 
passion  for  souls  which  no  labors,  sorrows, 
or  hardships  could  abate.  He  went  forth 
weeping,  and  in  the  harvest  few  men  will 
have   more   sheaves. 

In  1828  Jacob  Mahan  was  sent  out  as  a 
missionary  into  the  Wabash  country,  by  the 
Miami  conference.  Some  United  Brethren 
had  moved  into  that  country  from  Ohio, 
and  from  Cor^Tlon,  Ind,;  and  a  missionary 
being  desired,  Mr.  Mahan,  although  consid- 
erably advanced  in  years,  volunteered  to  go. 
His  labors  were  greatly  blessed;  but  in  the 
fall  of  the  year  he  was  taken  ill,  and  died — 
died  as  the  faithful  missionary  dies.  Mr. 
Mahan  entered  the  itinerant  ranks  as  early 
as  1824,  and  was  a  man  of  excellent  preach- 
ing  abilities,  and   of  pure  life. 

John  Morgan  says  of  him:  "He  came 
to  us  a  minister  from  the  Regular  Baptist 
church,  when  considerably  advanced  in  years. 
He  was  a  large  man  and  quite  corpulent. 
His  manners  were  gentlemanly,  and  he  was 
grave  in  his  deportment.  He  possessed 
excellent  conversational  powers,  and  his  ser- 
mons were   clear,  forcible,   and  strong.      He 


268  HISTORY    OF    THE 

labored  on  our  circuit  about  two  years,  and 
was  then  sent  to  the  Wabash.  When  on 
his  way  he  stopped  at  my  house,  and,  dur- 
ing the  conversation,  remarked  that  he  never 
expected  to  return.  But  nothing  daunted, 
he  went  on.  I  have  learned  that  his  labors 
were   much   blessed." 

The  following  year  the  Miami  conference, 
as  we  have  seen  from  the  minutes,  sent  out 
John  Denham  to  fill  the  place  vacated  by 
the  early  death  of  Mr.  Mahan.  Under  the 
labors  of  Mr.  Denham  many  societies  were 
formed;  and  the  way  was  opened  for  other 
laborers,  while  Mr.  D.  pushed  on  still  farther 
westward. 

A  few  families  ot  United  Brethren  having 
moved  from  the  Scioto  conference  and  settled 
on  the  Little  Mackinaw  river,  McLean  county, 
Illinois,  Mr.  J.  Denham,  in  some  irregular 
missionary  excursions  in  1831,  visited,  and 
preached  for  them.  Under  those  labors  a 
few  societies  were  organized.  In  the  fall  of 
1832  the  Indiana  conference  recognized  the 
work  under  the  name  of  the  Mackinaw 
mission,  and  supplied  it  with  J.  P.  Eckels, 
a  young  man  who  had  just  entered  the 
ministry.  Under  the  labors  of  this  young 
man,  precious  seasons  of  grace  were  enjoyed, 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    269 

and  many  souls  were  awakened,  converted, 
and  added  to  the  church.  He  was  succeeded 
by  J.  Spradley,  through  whose  instrument- 
ality the  good  work  continued  to  prosper. 
About  this  time  Mr.  Denham  removed  from 
Warren  Co.,  Ind.,  to  McLean  Co.,  111.;  and 
several  other  ministers  from  the  Wabash  vis- 
ited him,  and   assisted  in  holding  meetings. 

So  rapidly  did  the  work  expand  that  in 
1833  a  new  conference  was  set  off  from  the 
Indiana,  and  called  the  Wabash  conference. 
The  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Wabash  con- 
ference was  held  in  Park  county,  Ind.,  in 
September,  1835.  The  new  conference  was 
composed  of  thirteen  preachers.  The  fields 
of  labor  were  named  and  supj^lied  as  follows: 

Wabash  District — William  Davis,  P.  E. 

St.  Joseph  circuit,  James  Griffith. 

Pine  "       William  Davis. 

Wea  "       E.  T.  Cook. 

Cole  Creek      "       James  Davis. 

Vermilion        "       Josiah  Davis. 

Illinois  District — John  Denham,  P.  E. 

Mackinatv  circuit,  J.  T.  Timmons. 

Here  are  eight  fields  of  labor  and  eight 
itinerant  preachers  in  the  Wabash  confer- 
ence in  1835,  twenty-six  years  ago.  In 
another  chapter  we  give  a  somewhat  detailed 


270  HISTORY    OF    THE 

account  of  the  expansion  of  the  work  north- 
ward, and  of  the  formation  of  the  St.  Joseph 
conference  as  an  outgrowth  from  the  Wa- 
bash; and  from  the  chapter  on  the  Iowa 
conference,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  work  in  that 
conference  was  commenced  by  the  Wabash 
missionaries. 

In  1835  but  one  circuit  was  recognized  in 
Illinois ;  but  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Denham 
as  presiding  elder  of  a  district,  with  a  single 
circuit,  or  rather  mission,  as  a  basis,  implied 
that  there  was  a  large  territory  and  a  2:>rob- 
ability  of  growth.  Soon  after,  the  labors  of 
John  Hoobler  and  Josiah  Davis  were  directed 
to  Illinois;  and  in  1845  the  Illinois  confer- 
ence was  set  off  from  the  Wabash.  The  same 
year  the  White  River  was  set  off  from  the 
Indiana.  Let  us  recapitulate.  In  1829  the 
Miami  conference  embraced  the  whole  work 
west  of  the  Scioto  conference  In  1830  the 
Indiana  was  formed;  in  1835  the  Wabash;  and 
in  1845,  after  ten  years  of  remarkable  mission- 
ary activity,  the  St.  Joseph,  Illinois,  White 
River,  and  Iowa,  were  added  to  the  list.  Thus 
the  old  Miami,  in  1845,  was  able  to  look  upon 
a  family  of  six  as  flourishing  daughters  as 
ever  received  a  mother's  blessing. 

Of  a  few  of  the   ministers  in  the  Wabash 


UNITED    BEETHREX    IN    CHRIST.    271 

who  were  most  actively  engaged  in  this  great 
movement,  notice  may  be  taken.  'No  name 
has  a  sweeter  odor  among  the  brethren  of 
the  north-west,  than  that  of  James  Davis,  a 
meager  sketch  only  of  whose  life  and  labors 
has  been  preserved. 

Mr.  Davis  was  converted  about  the  year 
1830,  and  became  a  member  of  the  first 
United  Brethren  society  organized  west  of 
Wabash  river,  at  the  house  of  his  father,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Milford,  Warren  Co.,  Ind. 
After  his  conversion  he  was  distino'uished 
for  more  than  ordinary  zeal  and  talent;  and 
for  the  great  power  which  attended  his  exhor- 
tations, all  of  which  were  commended  to  the 
people  by  the  humility,  sobriety,  and  deep- 
toned  piety  which  graced  his  conversation 
and  deportment.  He  was  received  into  the 
Indiana  conference  at  the  Haw  Patch,  in  Bar- 
tholomew Co.,  Indiana,  in  September  1833. 
The  four  subsequent  years  he  traveled  cir- 
cuits in  the  Wabash  valley,  between  Terre 
Haute  and  Logansport,  where  his  labors  were 
attended  with  great  outpourings  of  the  Spirit 
of  grace  and  the  power  of  salvation,  as  wit- 
nesses of  Avhich  many  precious  souls  now 
live  both  in  heaven  and  on  earth.  In  1837 
he  moved  to  St.  Joseph  Co.,  Ind.,  and  labored 


272  HISTORY    OF    THE 

as  presiding  elder  for  one  year,  with  great 
profit.  In  1838,  lie  returned  to  the  Wabash, 
soon  after  which  he  removed  to  Wisconsin, 
and  extended  his  labors  over  the  Rock  River 
country,  and  did  much  of  the  work  from 
which  the  Rock  River  conference  was  formed. 

Mr.  Davis  was  a  medium-sized  man,  with 
dark  hair,  heavy  eyebrows,  and  a  large,  keen, 
hazel-colored  eye.  His  literary  attainments 
were  limited,  but  his  habits  were  studious. 
He  was  a  close  and  correct  observer  of  men 
and  things;  but  it  was  the  power  of  grace 
more  than  all  else,  which  gave  his  ministry 
its  distinguished  momentum. 

Worn  out  and  broken  in  health,  he  went 
over  the  river  to  the  better  land  a  few  years 
since.  In  the  great  harvest  he  "shall  doubt- 
less come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his 
sheaves  with  him." 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Indiana  confer- 
ence, which  met  in  Harrison  Co.,  Indiana, 
thirty-one  years  ago,  William  Davis  was 
received.  He  was  born  in  Ontario  Co.,  N.  Y. 
January  3rd,  1812.  His  parents,  who  were 
members  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church, 
settled  in  Washington  Co.,  Indiana,  in  1818. 
In  their  new  western  home  they  maintained 
a  deep  religious   interest  in  the  family;   and 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     273 

"often  at  family  worship,"  writes  Mr.  Davis, 
"I  promised  God  that  I  would  serve  him. 
In  August,  1828,  my  concern  for  salvation 
"became  deeper  than  ever  before;  and  on  the 
25th  of  September,  at  a  prayer-meeting  where 
opportunity  was  given  for  persons  to  speak,  I 
arose  and  told  the  people  that  I  wanted  re- 
ligion. Three  days  afterward,  when  it  seemed 
that  despair,  with  all  its  horrors,  was  gath- 
ering around  me,  I  resolved  that  if  I  perished 
I  would  perish  praying.  With  this  determ- 
ination I  retired  to  the  woods  to  pray;  and  as 
I  prayed,  my  darkness  was  turned  to  light, 
and  my  sorrow  to  joy. 

'  The  Spirit  answered  to  the  blood. 
And  told  me  I  was  born  of  God.'  " 

Immediately  after  his  conversion  he  began 
to  exhort;  and  one  week  after  he  had  passed 
his  seventeenth  year,  at  the  residence  of  James 
Griffith,  in  Washington  Co.,  Ind.,  he  preached 
his  first  sermon.  He  was  placed  on  a  cir- 
cuit, which  he  traveled  afoot,  not  having 
means  to  purchase  a  horse.  Unable  to  en- 
dure the  hard  travel,  he  hired  out  at  |8  per 
month,  until,  with  his  earnings,  he  was  able 
to  purchase  a  horse,  saddle,  and  bridle.  On 
the  26th  of  May,  1830,  thus  equipped,  he 
went  to  the  Indiana  annual  conference,  was 
Vol.  n.— 18. 


274  HIStOKY    OF    THE 

received,  and  placed  on  Tanner's  creek  cir- 
cuit. He  now  gave  himself  wholly  to  the 
ministry  of  the  word.  The  defects  of  his 
early  education  were  repaired  by  diligent 
study  on  horseback  and  beside  the  cabin  fires 
of  the   new  settlers. 

If  we  were  an  artist  we  would  pause  here  to 
give  the  reader  a  picture  of  a  pioneer  preach- 
er's studio.  We  would  show  to  him  the  inte- 
rior of  a  log  cabin,  in  one  end  of  which  we 
would  place  the  beds ;  in  a  corner,  near  the  fire, 
the  rude  cupboard  and  table,  the  latter  made 
of  a  broad  puncheon,  clean  and  white;  around 
the  great  log  fire,  we  would  introduce  to  him 
six  or  seven  children,  the  youngest  in  the  lap 
of  its  mother.  In  the  midst  of  this  interest- 
ing group  we  would  place  the  young  preacher. 
The  hard  travel  of  the  day  is  past.  His 
horse  has  been  placed  under  a  shed;  his  over- 
coat and  leggins  are  drying  before  the  fire; 
the  wind  howls  around  the  cabin;  and  the 
snow  beats  against  the  window-panes,  while 
he  is  sitting,  Bible  in  hand,  preparing  a 
sermon.  In  such  a  studio,  sermons  have  been 
prepared  which  would  not  discredit  our  best 
city  pulpits. 

When  the  Wabash  conference  was  organ- 
ized, Mr.  Davis  was  elected  its  first  presiding 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     275 

elder.  This  important  charge  was  placed 
upon  him  when  he  was  but  twenty-two  years 
old.  But  he  had  the  prudence,  the  foresight, 
and  firmness  of  age. 

In  the  spring  of  1846,  in  a  letter  to  a 
friend,  Mr.  Davis  wrote:  Dear  Bro. : — "A 
few  evenings  ago,  while  sitting  by  my  fire- 
side, looking  forward  to  the  labor  and  expos- 
ure, and  privation  which  I  must  endure  dur- 
ing the  conference  year  which  has  just  com- 
menced, my  mind  was  carried  back  to  the 
past;  whereupon  I  hunted  up  my  old  diary, 
by  the  aid  of  which  I  reached  the  following 
facts  and  conclusions:  That  I  have  been  an 
itinerant  minister  in  the  church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  sixteen  years;  that  I  have 
traveled  for  ministerial  purposes  fifty-four 
thousand  two  hundred  miles;  that  I  have 
preached  (or  tried  to  preach)  five  thousand 
one  hundred  and  ten  sermons;  that  I  have 
received  as  an  earthly  remuneration  f  652  00 ; 
that  tlie  Lord  has  hitherto  helped  me;  and  that 
it  would  he  ivickedness  to  distrust  so  good  a 
friend  in  time  to  come. 

"My  time  has  been  spent  chiefly  on  the 
frontiers,  among  poor  people;  and,  could  I 
lead  some  of  my  rich  brethren  along  the  In- 
dian trails,   or  more  dimly-beaten  paths,  to 


276  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  cabins  in  the  woods,  and  introduce  them 
to  meanly-clad  parents,  surrounded  by  almost 
naked  children,  and  let  them  worship  and 
mingle  their  prayers,  songs,  and  tears  around 
the  same  altar,  they  too  would  love  those 
poor  brethren,  excuse  their  scanty  contribu- 
tions, and  of  their  abundance  give  something 
for  the  support  of  the  missionary,  who,  per- 
haps, with  ragged  clothes  and  naked  knees 
(for  I  have  preached  with  naked  knees)  is 
preaching  on  the  frontiers.  I  do  love  the 
poor  pioneer  brethren  in  their  cabins,  and 
sympathize  with  the  missionary  who  breaks 
to  them,  at  great  personal  sacrifices,  the  bread 
of  life;  and  if  after  death  my  spirit  should 
be  permitted  to  visit  my  brethren  on  earth, 
I  would  fly  on  speedy  wing  to  the  suffering 
missionary,  and  whisper  consolation  in  his 
ear." 

In  person  Mr.  D.  is  about  five  feet  ten.  His 
eyes,  nose  and  mouth  are  large,  and  he  has  a 
broad,  high  forehead.  No  one,  perhaps,  has 
ever  heard  a  hasty  or  ill-advised  remark  from 
his  lips.  He  speaks  slowly  and  distinctly, 
and  often  eloquently. 

John  Morgan,  who  has  been  identified 
with  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  church  in 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Yates  Co.,  New  York, 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     277 

April  26th,  1801.  In  1817  he  emigrated 
with  his  parents  to  Dearborn  Co.,  Indiana. 
In  1821  he  united  with  the  United  Brethren 
church  as  a  seeker  of  religion,  soon  after 
which  he  obtained  peace  in  believing.  In 
1822  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Miami 
conference.  His  early  advantages  were  exceed- 
ingly poor,  yet  by  application  to  study  he 
became  an  excellent  preacher  and  a  wise 
counsellor.  He  served  a  number  of  years  as  a 
presiding  elder,  and  is  highly  esteemed  as  one 
of  the  fathers  of  the  United  Brethren  minis- 
try in  Indiana. 

But  no  one,  perhaps,  has  contributed  more 
to  the  growth  of  the  church  in  Indiana,  and 
especially  in  the  Wabash  conferences,  than 
James  Griffith.  Prior  to  his  conversion  he 
was  a  proud  skeptic.  More  than  thirty  years 
since  he  was  converted;  and  soon  after  his 
conversion  he  began  to  preach  the  religion 
he  had  labored  to  destroy.  He  entered  the 
itinerant  ranks  when  the  United  Brethren 
church  in  Indiana  was  a  mere  handful;  and, 
with  unswerving  fidelity  and  devotion,  he  has 
given  to  the  cause  his  youth,  and  his  vigor- 
ous manhood;  and,  as  the  shadows  of  even- 
ing begin  to  lengthen,  his  zeal  wanes  not. 
Mr.  Griffith  was   a  member  of  the  Wabash 


278  HISTORY    OF    THE 

conference  at  its  organization.  He  has  served 
many  years  as  a  presiding  elder,  and  been 
a  member  of  the  general  conferences  of  1833, 
1849,  1853,  and  1857.  As  an  early  and  con- 
sistent advocate  of  the  inalienable  rights  of 
man,  without  respect  to  clime  or  color,  he 
siiifered,  especially  during  the  earlier  years 
of  his  ministry,  no  small  share  of  obloquy  and 
persecution;  but  he  has  lived  to  see  a  very 
encouraging  improvement  in  the  tone  of  pub- 
lic sentiment  on  that  subject,  not  only  in  his 
own  state,  but  in  more  than  half  of  the  states 
of  the  Union. 

In  manners  Mr.  Griffith  is  retiring  and 
diffident;  but  he  has  a  sound  judgment  and 
an  unconquerable  will. 

Frederick  Kexoyer  and  John  Hoobler 
were  both  pioneer  evangelists  in  Indiana,  and 
Illinois,  and  deserve  mention  in  connection 
with  Griffith,  James  and  William  Davis,  and 
others  that  we  can  not  name.  Both  these 
ministers  have  given  to  the  church  upwards 
of  thirty  years  of  earnest  work;  and  their 
names  should  be  cherished  by  those  who  have 
entered  into  their  labors.  They  are  now  in 
the  evening  time  of  life,  and  God  will  pres- 
ently say  to  each 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     279 

"  Servant  of  God,  well  done. 
Rest  from  thy  loved  employ  ; 
The  battle's  fought,  the  victory's  wou. 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 

But  we  can  not  pursue  these  personal 
sketches  further,  however  pleasing  the  task 
might  be,  and  however  worthy  of  notice  many 
others  are  who  have  not  been  so  much  as 
named  in  these  pages. 


280  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XY. 

GENERAL     CONFERENCE     OF     1833 — THE     PUB- 
LISHING   INTERESTS. 

The  sixth  general  conference  convened  at 
Dresback's  church,  Pickaway  county,  Ohio, 
May  14:th,  1833.  Bishop  Kumler  presided^ 
his  venerable  colleague,  Newcomer,  having 
gone  to  his  reward  three  years  previously. 
There  were  present  thirty-three  delegates, 
representing  six  conference  districts,  six  of 
whom  were  from  Pennsylvania,  six  from 
Indiana,  one  from  Virginia,  and  twenty  from 
Ohio.      Their   names  follow: 

Pennsylvania  conference:  Ezekial  Boring, 
Jacob  Erb,  Jacob  Snyder,  William  Brown, 
James  Neiman,  and   Frederick   Gilbert. 

MusMngum  conference:  Henry  G.  Sj)ayth, 
Adam  Hetzler,  Sewel  C.  Briggs,  John  Eck- 
hart,  and   Christian   Kenagi. 

Virginia  conference:    Wm.  Rhinehart. 

Scioto  conference:  John  Russel,  Jacob  Bau- 
lus,  George  Benedum,  Daniel  Davis,  William 


UNITED    BEETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.     281 

Hastings,  James  Ross,  Samuel  Hiestand,  and 
John   Coons. 

Indiana  conference:  John  Denham,  James 
Griffith,  Aaron  Farmer,  Josiah  Davis,  John 
McNamar,    and   Francis  Whitcom. 

Miami  conference:  Henry  Kumler,  jr.,  J. 
Fetherhuff,  Samuel  Hoffman,  J.  Swearingen, 
Abraham  S.  Decker,  David  Keiser,  and  Geo. 
Bonebrake. 

We  will  notice,  in  their  order,  such  of  the 
proceedings  of  this  conference  as  are  of 
permanent   interest. 

1.  Definition  of  the  ])owers  of  the  general 
conference.  The  question  was  raised,  "Does 
the  general  conference  possess  any  power 
which  an  annual  conference  does  not?"  To 
this  the  following  answer  was  given:  "Yes: 
it  is  alone  in  the  power  of  the  general 
conference  to  elect,  from  among  the  elders, 
one  or  more  bishops;  and  to  make  such 
provisions  as  may  be  conducive  to  the  good 
of  the  whole  church:  Provided,  however, 
that  none  of  her  acts  shall  be  so  construed 
as  to  alter  the  confession  of  faith,  or  in 
any  manner  change  the  meaning,  spirit,  rules, 
and  regulations  of  our  discipline  as  they 
now   stand." 

2.  How  the  general  conference  should  be  com' 


2S2  HISTORY    OF    THE 

posed.  It  was  decided  that  the  general  con- 
ference should  be  composed  of  two  elders 
from  each  annual  conference  district,  who 
were  to  be  elected  as  follows:  Each  annual 
conference  was  required  to  nominate  four 
elders  as  candidates;  and  the  two  who  should 
receive  the  highest  number  of  votes  from 
all  the  members  of  the  church  at  a  popular 
election,  were  to  be  declared  delegates.  The 
number  of  delegates  to  be  elected  by  each 
conference  has  been  raised  to  three,  and 
the  power  of  the  annual  conference  to  nom- 
inate has   been    abolished. 

3.  Provision  for  increasing  the  salary  of  an 
itinerant  preacher.  The  rule  providing  for 
the  appointment  of  circuit  stewards  was 
stricken  out,  and  the  following  clause  was 
added:  "In  the  case  of  a  traveling  preacher 
having  a  family  of  children,  the  annual  con- 
ference of  which  he  is  a  member  shall  take 
the  matter  into  consideration,  and  add  over 
and  above  his  salary  whatever  amount  said 
conference  may  deem  proper."  This  power 
of  adding  to  the  stated  salary,  in  cases  de- 
manding it,  was,  at  a  subsequent  general 
conference,  transferred  from  the  annual  to 
the   quarterly  conferences. 

4.  Swearing  and  affirming.     The  rule  adopt- 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IX     CHRIST.    283 

eel  in  relation   to   swearing  and   affirming  is 
quoted  on   page   181,  of    this   volume. 

5.  Class-meetings.  Considerable  attention  was 
given  to  these  meetings.  It  was  made  the 
duty  of  class-leaders  to  appoint  prayer  and 
class-meetings;  and  it  was  recommended  that 
all  the  members  of  the  church  attend  class- 
meeting  once  every  two  v»"eeks,  and  oftener 
if    practicable. 

6.  Length  of  time  an  itinerant  may  rem,ain 
on  a  circuit.  It  M^as  decided  that  an  itin- 
erant preacher  should  not  be  allowed  to 
travel  more  than  three  consecutive  years  on 
the  same  circuit,  except  hj  consent  of  the  con- 
ference. The  same  limitation  was  applied 
to   preachers   on   stations. 

7.  A  2^^'ii^ting  establisliment  projected.  Aa- 
ron Farmer  was  one  of  the  first  in  our 
church  to  see  the  importance  of  the  relig- 
ious press,  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  pulpit; 
and,  as  early  as  1829,  he  made  an  earnest, 
although  not  very  successful,  effort  to  em- 
ploy this  mighty  evangelizing  agency  under 
the  patronage  of  the  Miami  conference.  At 
the  session  of  that  conference,  in  1829,  the 
following  resolutions   were   adopted : 

"Resolved    by   the    Miami    conference    to 


284  HISTORY    OF    THE 

approbate    the    publication   of    ^Zion's  Advo 
cate^   with   the   following   restrictions: 

"1.  It  is  to  contain  doctrine  consonant 
with  the  church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ. 

"2.  It  is  not  to  be  devoted  to  unprofit- 
able  controversy. 

"3.  It  is  to  be  printed  on  good  paper, 
and   neatly   executed. 

"4.    It  is  to  be  edited  by  Aaron  Farmer." 

Zion's  Advocate  was  accordingly  issued  from 
Salem,  Ind.,  by  Mr.  Farmer  as  editor  and 
publisher;  and,  although  it  was  a  fair  paj^er, 
it  died  young,  not  because  its  conductor 
failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions  specified 
by  the  conference,  but  for  want  of  a  suffi- 
cient patronage.  The  enterprise,  however, 
was  a  proper  one,  and  the  attempt  to  in- 
augurate it  served  to  awaken  the  attention 
of  the  church  to  the  subject.  Accordingly, 
the  quadrennial  conference  succeeding  the 
failure  of  Zion's  Advocate  resolved  to  es- 
tablish a  religious  paper,  to  be  controlled 
by  a  board  of-  trustees  appointed  by  the 
general  conference.  In  pursuance  of  this 
resolution,  John  Russel,  and  Jonathan  and 
George  Dresback,  were  appointed  trustees; 
and  they  were   authorized  to  circulate  sub- 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     285 

scriptions  in  all  the  conferences,  one  for 
donations,  the  other  for  subscriptions,  to  the 
proposed  paper;  also,  to  publish,  or  cause 
to  be  published,  at  Circleville,  0.,  "a  paper 
devoted  to  religious,  moral,  and  literary  in- 
telligence." 

8.  A  new  conference.  A  new  conference 
was  formed  in  north-western  Ohio,  and  called 
the  Sandusky  conference ;  and  it  is  the  opinion 
of  Mr.  Spayth,  who  was  a  member  of  the 
general  conference  of  1833,  and  one  of  the 
secretaries,  that  the  Wabash  conference  was 
set  off  from  the  Indiana  conference,  at  the 
same  time.  Mr.  Hanby,  as  already  stated, 
entertains  a  different  opinion.  The  minutes 
of  the  general  conference  contain  nothing 
on  the  subject;  and  the  question  is  one  of 
small  importance.  It  is  a  fact  that  the 
Sandusky  conference  was  organized  in  1834, 
and  the  Wabash  in  1835,  raising  the  whole 
number  of  annual  conference  districts  to 
eight. 

Soon  after  the  general  conference  adjourned, 
the  brethren  to  whom  the  publishing  in- 
terests had  been  entrusted,  commenced  their 
work.  Calls  were  made  for  donations  and 
subscriptions,  and  on  the  12th  of  April,  1834, 
they  bought  at  public  sale,  in  Circleville,  0., 


286  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  printing  press,  type,  and  fixtures,  for  which 
they  paid  |450  00.  In  May  following  they 
bought  a  lot  and  two  houses,  for  which  they 
paid  $550  00  more.  A  few  months  before 
this  time,  W.  R.  Rhinehart  had  commenced 
the  publication  of  a  religious  ])Si])eT  called 
the  Mountain  Messenger,  at  Ilagerstown,  Md. 
As  the  trustees  were  anxious  to  unite  the 
whole  church  in  the  support  of  one  paper,  they 
bought  out  the  Messenger,  paying  $325  00 
for  its  type,  and  employed  Mr.  Rhinehart  to 
edit  the  contemplated  church  organ;  and  on 
the  16th  of  December,  1834,  the  first  number 
of  the  ^''Beligious  Telescope, ^^  a  middling-sized 
folio  semi-monthly,  made  its  appearance. 

Thus  with  a  debt  of  $1,600  00,  and  a  sub- 
scription list,  much  of  which  was  Avorthless, 
of  1197,  the  United  Brethren  Printing  Estab- 
lishment, commenced  its  career.  The  paper 
issued  was  a  very  respectable  sheet,  well  edit- 
ed, yet  not  popular,  because  of  the  extreme 
views  which  it  advocated.  It  entered  largely 
into  the  controversies  of  the  times,  and  earn- 
estly and  bodly,  though  not  always  pru- 
dently, marched  in  the  front  ranks  of  every 
reform.  The  second  year  the  subscription 
was  reduced  to  856,  and  Avhen  the  paj^er  was 
in    its    seventh    year,   its    subscription    only 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    287 

reached   1450,  and   on  the   credit  system   at 
that. 

The  concern,  however,  found  no  difficulty 
in  adding  to  its  liabilities;  and  by  this  time 
they  had  reached  |6,000!  Had  it  been  an 
individual  enterprise,  or  had  the  trustees  been 
men  of  feeble  hearts  or  of  poor  credit,  it 
would  have  failed  utterly.  In  1839,  Wil- 
liam Hanby  succeeded  Mr.  Rhinehart  as 
editor  and  publisher.  Being  a  better  finan- 
cier, less  inclined  to  extremes,  and  receiving 
a  more  liberal  patronage  from  the  church,  the 
establishment  soon  began  to  show  signs  of 
life.  In  the  spring  of  1843  the  number  of 
subscribers  was  swelled  to  nearly  2,000,  still 
on  the  credit  system,  however,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds, above  contingent  expenses,  were  reck- 
oned at  |600  00.  At  the  general  conference 
of  1845  it  appeared  that  the  paper  had  ris- 
ing 3,000  subscribers,  and  that  it  was  yield- 
ing a  net  profit  of  about  $1,200  00  annually. 
The  profits,  however,  of  a  paper  conducted 
as  this  was,  on  the  credit  system,  can  not 
be  calculated  with  accuracy.  At  the  gen- 
eral conference  of  1845  the  cash  system  was 
adopted.  David  Edwards  was  elected  editor. 
Four  years  of  prosperity  followed.  The 
paper  was  well  edited,  and  its  finances  judi- 


288  HISTORY    OF    THE 

ciously  managed;  and  in  1849,  after  a  strug- 
gle of  fourteen  years,  the  debts  of  the  concern 
were  all  canceled,  and  it  was  placed  in  a  po- 
sition to  begin  to  acquire  the  means  of  use- 
fulness. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     289 


CHAPTER  XYI. 

THE  MUSKINGUM  CONFERENCE — FORNEY,  KE- 
NAGI,  BRIGOS,  S.  LONG,  A.  BIDDLE — COM- 
MENCEMENT OF  THE  WORK  ON  THE  RESERVE. 

The    organization    of    this    conference    in 
1818,    and    its    j^rogress    up    to   1821,    have 
been   noticed.     In   1822  three  ministers  pro- 
posed  to   travel, — Johnston,  J.  Long,  and   J. 
Klein;   and  Abraham   Forney  was  appointed 
presiding  elder.      The  minutes  of    1823  and 
1824  are    not  in  our    possession.      In   1825 
the  conference  met  in  Westmoreland  Co.,  Pa., 
Seventeen    preachers    were    reported,   among 
whom  were   Draksel,  Jacob  Winter,  A.  For- 
ney, H.  G.  Spayth,  H.  Erret,  H.  Purdy,    C. 
Berger,    Kenagi,    John    Crum,   S.  C.  Briggs, 
and    Peter  Weimer.      Mr.   Spayth  and  Mr. 
Johnston  were  appointed  presiding  elders  of 
the  two  districts,    and  John   Klein  was   ap- 
pointed to  travel  the  Westmoreland  circuit. 
No  itinerant  was  employed  that  year  in  the 
territory  now   embraced  in  the  Muskingum 
Vol.  II.— 19. 


290  HISTORY    OF    THE 

conference.  The  work  was  sustained  wholly 
by  the  local   ministry. 

During  the  years  1825  and  1826  the  con- 
ference suffered  a  great  loss  by  the  decease 
of  Draksel,  Forney,  Peter  Weimer,  John 
Slutts,  and  John  Klein, — nearly  one-third  of 
the  entire  ministry  reported  at  the  West- 
moreland conference.  Of  the  venerable  Drak- 
sel's  character,  labors,  and  decease,  notice 
has  been  taken  in  a  preceding  chapter  of 
this  work. 

Abraham  Forney  was  one  of  the  pioneers 
in  north-eastern  Ohio.  He  penetrated  into 
the  new  country  at  an  early  day,  and  was 
intimately  associated  with  the  rise  of  the 
Muskingum  conference,  and  its  progress  up 
to  the  period  of  his  decease.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  third  general  conference. 
John  Klein  was  a  remarkably  zealous  and 
pious  young  man — the  only  itinerant  em- 
ployed in  1825.  He  died  at  his  post.  Mr. 
Weimer  and  Mr.  Slutts  were  devoted  Ger- 
man preachers.  While  noticing  the  decease 
of  these  pioneers  in  the  Muskingum  con- 
ference, we  will  state  that  Christian  Kenagi 
was  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  beloved 
of  those  early  ministers.  He  was  among 
the  first  who  embraced  religion,  and  became 


UNITED    EEETHEEX     IX    CHRIST.    291 

identified  with  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
west  of  the  Alleghany  mountains.  He  be- 
longs, indeed,  to  the  German  pioneer  fathers. 
He  commenced  to  preach  about  the  year 
1802,  while  residing  in  Westmoreland  county. 
Pa.;  and  as  early  as  1817,  or  1818,  he  re- 
moved to  Tuscarawas  county,  0.  "For  piety, 
brotherly  love,  and  humility,"  writes  Mr.  J. 
Weimer,  "few  were  his  equals.  For  a  period 
of  twenty  years  he  could  walk  only  by  the 
aid  of  a  staff  in  each  hand;  yet  he  was 
almost  continually  traveling  in  a  small  wagon, 
through  the  Muskingum  district,  visiting  his 
German  brethren,  and  preaching  Jesus  w^her- 
ever  opportunity  offered.  During  each  year 
of  the  last  seven  or  eight  of  his  life,  he 
made  a  trip  to  the  Sandusky  district;  and 
while  on  his  last  tour,  he  died  shouting  the 
praises  of  king  Immanuel."  At  his  death, 
on  the  4th  of  March,  1811,  he  was  in  his 
seventieth    year. 

In  1826  the  conference  convened  in  Har- 
rison county,  0.  Only  eleven  ministers  were 
in  attendance,  two  of  whom  were  received 
during  the  session.  John  Crum  and  Henry 
Erret  were  appointed  presiding  elders,  and 
James  Haskins  and  Sewill  C.  Briggs  gave 
themselves   up  to   travel.     Mr.  Haskins  was 


292  HISTORY    OF    THE 

stationed,   on  Westmoreland  circuit,  Pa.,   and 
Mr.  Briggs  on  Wills   creek,  Ohio. 

S.  C.  Briggs  was  a  man  of  superior  talent, 
great  zeal,  and  remarkable  faith ;  and  he 
contributed  materially  to  the  progress  of  re- 
ligion in  the  Muskingum  conference.  Mr. 
Biddle  relates  the  following,  as  an  illustra- 
tion of  his  "faith:"  "At  a  camp-meeting 
in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  it  became  his 
turn  to  i^reach  at  3  o'clock  P.  M.  Uj)  to 
this  time  nothing  of  a  remarkable  character 
had  occurred.  When  through  with  his  ser- 
mon he  descended  from  the  stand,  and, 
although  the  hour  was  unusual,  he  invited 
sinners  to  come  forward  and  seek  salvation. 
The  whole  congregation  was  moved.  The 
work  commenced,  and  continued  all  night. 
By  sunrise  next  morning  one  hundred  souls 
were  converted." 

Mr.  Briggs  was  a  member  of  the  general 
conference   of    1833.      His   end  was  peace. 

In  1827  no  material  progress  was  made. 
In  1828  three  circuits  were  supplied,  viz.: 
Westmoreland,  Wills  Creek,  and  a  new  cir- 
cuit called  Wooster  and  JNTew  Lisbon.  Fou  • 
preachers  were  employed  on  these  circuits; 
and  at  the  end  of  the  year  their  financial 
report    ran    thus: — Jacob    Winters    received 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     293 

on  Westmoreland  circuit,  $84  33;  H.  Purdy 
on  Wills  Creek,  |32  88;  Moses  Herbert  and 
A.  Hetzler  on  Wooster  and  New  Lisbon, — 
the  former  $31  70,  the  latter  |35  624;  Jol^^ 
Crum  as  presiding  elder,  |14  86.  All  were 
well  satisfied,  for  the  year  had  been  a  good 
one.  In  1829  the  conference  was  divided 
into   five   circuits,  and   supplied   as   follows: 

JVestmoreland:  J.  Winter,  circuit  preacher. 
D.  Worman,  prQsiding   elder. 

Wooster:  J.  Crum,  circuit  preacher.  J, 
Hildt,  presiding  elder. 

Wills  Creek:  M.  Herbert,  circuit  preacher. 
J.    Crum,   presiding  elder. 

JS^eiv  Lisbon:  J.  Harrison,  circuit  preacher. 
J.    Stambach,  presiding   elder. 

Sandusky:  J.  Zahn,  circuit  preacher.  J. 
Baulus,  presiding  elder. 

The  whole  sum  paid  to  these  itinerants 
for  the  year's  .work  was  $266  22.  In  1830, 
hirty-two  ministers  were  recognized  as  mem- 
bers  of    the   conference. 

Among  those  who  entered  the  itinerant 
ranks  this  year  was  Samuel  Long;  a  man 
of  great  prudence,  deep  piety,  and  respecta- 
ble preaching  abilities.  Mr.  Long  has  spent 
more  than  thirty  years  in  the  ministry; 
much   of   the  time  as  an   itinerant,  first  in 


294  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  Muskingum  and  afterward  in  the  San- 
dusky conference.  In  the  last-named  con- 
ference he  now  enjoys,  in  a  superannuated 
relation,  the  confidence  and  affection  of  all 
who   know  him. 

Between  1830  and  1833,  the  progress  of 
the  conference  continued  to  be  slow,  owing  to 
the  want  of  a  thorough  itineracy,  and  the 
means  for  its  support.  The  conference,  during 
these  years,  seemed  to  vacillate  between  a 
partial  and  a  thorough  itinerant  system. 
Up  to  1833  its  territory  extended  from  West- 
moreland county,  Pa.,  to  Wayne  county,  0. — 
a  part  of  the  time  even  to  Sandusky  county, 
0. ;  and  the  annual  conferences  were  held 
alternately  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  The 
general  conference  of  1833  attached  that  por- 
tion of  the  conference  which  lay  in  Penn- 
sylvania to  the  Pennsylvania  conference,  and 
formed  a  new  conference  in  the  north-west, 
called  the  Sandusky  conference.  This  change 
in  boundaries,  cut  off  many  of  the  best 
churches  and  ministers;  yet  it  contributed 
greatly  to  the  prosperity  of  the  conference. 
Confined  within  its  natural  boundaries,  thrown 
upon  its  own  resources,  and  having  one  of 
the  best  missionary  fields  in  the  world  to 
cultivate,   the    Lord   raised   up   from   among 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     295 

the  young  men  of  the  church  a  class  of 
ministers,  who  devoted  themselves  to  itiner- 
ant labors,  from  year  to  year,  with  such 
zeal  and  success  as  told  most  favorably 
upon  the  prosperity  of  religion  in  that  quarter 
of   the   State. 

Among  the  efficient  laborers  called  into  the 
field  about  this  time,  no  one  contributed 
more  to  the  growth  of  the  conference  than 
Alexander  Biddle.  Born  and  raised  amid 
the  romantic  hills  of  western  Pennsylvania, 
Mr.  Biddle  grew  to  the  age  of  sixteen  years 
with  few  advantages,  save  a  vigorous  body 
and  good  brain.  In  1826  Henry  Purdy 
formed  a  class  in  his  father's  neighborhood, 
to  which  his  father  became  attached;  and 
in  1829,  after  seeking  the  Lord  in  great 
agony  of  spirit  for  some  time,  he  was  hap- 
pily converted,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio, 
while  witnessing  the  baptism  of  his  mother! 
"What  a  halo  of  golden  beauty,"  to  use 
his  own  peculiar  language,  "lived  all  around 
me  at  that  time."  In  a  recent  letter,  Mr. 
B.  writes:  "Thirty-one  years  have  passed 
away,  and  now,  while  writing,  my  soul  burns 
within  at  these  recollections."  Soon  after  his 
conversion,  which  occurred  in  his  nineteenth 
year,   he  began  to  exhort;    and  in  1831   he 


296  HISTORY    OF    THE 

was  received  into  the  Muskingum  conference 
and  placed  on  Wills  Creek  circuit.  In  1832 
he  traveled  Lisbon  circuit.  During  this  year 
he  formed  four  new  classes  in  Trumbull 
county,  which  were  the  beginning  of  the 
United  Brethren  work  on  the  Western  Re- 
serve. Since  1832  this  work  has  spread 
over  the  whole  Reserve,  and  into  Pennsyl- 
vania and  IN'ew  York.  John  Neisz  was 
among  the  seventy-four  converts  received 
into  the  church  on  Libson  circuit,  by  Mr. 
Biddle,   in   1832. 

In  1833  Mr.  Biddle  was  elected  presiding 
elder, — an  office  which  he  has  filled  nearly 
every  year  since,  first  in  the  Muskingum^ 
and  afterward  in  the  Sandusky  conference. 
He  has  been  very  successful  in  introducing' 
young  men  into  the  ministry,  and  in  inciting 
them  to  study.  Mr.  Biddle  is  still  perform- 
ing full  work  as  an  itinerant  in  the  San- 
dusky conference.  He  has  been  a  delegate 
to  nearly  all  the  quadrennial  conferences  of 
the  church   since   1841. 

In  1838  a  home  missionary  society  was 
organized,  for  the  purpose  of  extending  the 
work  more  rapidly  within  the  bounds  of  the 
conference;  and  two  new  fields  of  labor  were 
formed  on  the  Reserve. 


UNITED    EKETilliEN     IN     CHRIST.    297 

Since  1838  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  has 
sent  forth  into  the  Muskingum  conference  a 
class  of  itinerant  hiborers  not  excelled  any 
where  in  the  United  Brethren  church.  In 
1838,  F.  HiLDT,  recently  called  to  his  reward, 
and  S.  C.  Stewakd,  still  at  the  work  in 
the  Wabash,  were  received  into  the  confer- 
ence. In  1839  C.  Caeter  and  J.  Todd, 
both  of  whom,  after  twenty  years  of  service, 
continue  to  labor  in  the  itineracy  Avith 
marked  efficiency,  were  received.  Then  came 
the  devoted  A.  S.  Wade,  of  precious  mem- 
ory. In  1842  E.  Slutts  and  L.  B.  Perkins 
were  admitted,  and  in  '43  and  '44,  W.  S. 
Titus,  now  of  Michigan,  Z.  A.  Colestock, 
now  of  Pennsylvania,  and  J.  Goodin,  and 
S.  Weaver,  President  of  Western  College, 
Iowa.  After  these,  and  along  with  them, 
came  many  other  brethren,  beloved  in  the 
Lord,  under  whose  labors  the  work  has  been 
extended  northward  to  the  Lake,  and  east- 
ward into   the    heart  of    western  IN'ew  York. 

In  1818  a  fe  German  brethren  in  the 
wilderness,  without  a  single  house  of  worship ; 
without  a  school,  newspaper,  circuit,  or  itin- 
erant preacher,  resolved  to  ^^  build  the  kingdom 
of  Christy  For  many  years  they  toiled 
without  much  apparent  encouragement.     In 


298  HISTORY    OF    THE 

1831  they  had  hut  one  circuit,  Wooster,  two 
feeble  missions,  and  four  itinerant  preachers, 
to  all  of  whom  was  paid  less  than  $300  00 
a  year.  Now  the  same  conference,  including 
Erie,  which  has  grown  out  of  it,  numbers 
7,333  members,  108  houses  of  worship,  and 
a  large  number  of  local  and  traveling  min- 
isters. 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN     CHRIST.   299 


CHAPTER  XYII. 

THE  SANDUSKY  CONFERENCE — NORTH-WESTERN 
OHIO. 

It  has  been  stated  already  that  in  1822 
Jacob  Baulus,  one  of  the  earliest  and  most 
efficient  j^reachers  in  Mainland,  settled  near 
Fremont,  0.  His  home  was  located  in  the 
deep,  dark  forests  of  the  Black  Swamp. 
Wild  game  and  wild  men  abounded.  He 
was  the  first  evangelical  minister  in  that 
section  of  the  country;  and  he  not  only 
preached  to  the  new  settlers,  whenever  o])- 
portunity  was  offered,  but  he  opened  his 
house  and  sj^read  his  table  for  evangelical 
ministers   of    all   denominations. 

A  ffew  preaching  places  were  established, 
a  few  classes  formed,  and  in  1829  the  gen- 
eral conference  recognized  a  circuit,  called 
Sandusky  circuit.  At  the  next  session  of 
the  Muskingum  conference  Jacob  Baulus  was 
elected  presiding  elder  of  the  Sandusky 
district,   and  John  Zahn  was   appointed  to 


300  HISTORY    OF    THE 

travel  the  Sandusky  circuit.  The  next  year, 
1830,  Mr.  Baulus  was  re-elected  presiding 
elder,  and  I.  Harrington  and  J.  Harrison 
were  placed  on  the  circuit.  Baulus,  Zahn, 
Harrington,  and  Harrison,  were  the  pioneer 
itinerant  preachers  in   north-western  Ohio. 

Up  to  this  time  the  prospects,  in  the 
north-western  portion  of  the  State,  seemed  to 
afford  but  little  encouragement.  Between 
the  Muskingum  conference  and  the  Sandusky 
circuit  there  was,  probably,  more  than  a 
hundred  miles  of  country  unoccupied  by 
the  United  Brethren  church;  much  of  it  a 
wilderness,  through  which  the  traveler  passed, 
not  in  rail-cars,  at  the  rate  of  forty  miles 
per  hour,  but  over  mud  roads  and  unbridged 
streams,  on  horseback,  or  in  old-fashioned 
stage-coaches,  which  frequently  made  but 
ten  or  twelve  miles  ^^er  day.  It  was  a  long 
and  wearisome  journey,  in  1830,  from  Tus- 
carawas county  to  Sandusky  county.  From 
1829  to  1834  the  Sandusky  circuit  was  sup- 
plied  by  the    Muskingum   conference. 

Prior  to  1833,  however,  a  strong  current 
of  emigration  set  in  toward  the  north-west; 
and  among  the  emigrants  were  a  number 
of  United  Brethren  families,  and  some  ex- 
cellent local   preachers. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     301 

George  Hiskey,  a  sound-minded,  hospita- 
ble, and  able  preacher,  settled  in  Richland 
county,  near  Lexington ;  and  some  substantial 
laymen  settled  in  the  same  inviting  region. 
Henry  Erret  and  John  Smith,  both  excel- 
lent German  preachers,  settled  near  Gallion. 
Philip  Cramer  located  west  of  Findlay,  in 
Hancock  county.  Israel  Harrington,  who 
was  placed  on  the  circuit  in  1830,  and  who 
was  a  man  of  good  judgment  and  influence, 
located  on  the  Portage  river;  while  Henry 
KiMBERLiN,  and  John  and  Jacob  Crum,  all 
pillars  in  the  church,  and  in  the  ministry, 
lifted  up  the  standard  near  the  Maumee, 
on  Beaver  creek,  in  Wood  county.  J.  Gar- 
BER,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches 
where  he  is  known, — a  plain,  humble,  zealous, 
worker,  both  as  an  itinerant  and  as  a  local 
preacher, — settled  on  Honey  creek,  near  Mel- 
more,  in  Seneca  county.  D.  Strayer,  C. 
Zook,  and  John  Bowser  pitched  their  tents 
west  of  the  Maumee.  Others  can  not  be 
especially  named.  These  emigrations  pre- 
pared the  way  for  a  conference;  and  the 
general  conference  of  1833  very  wisely  made 
a   conference   of    the   Sandusky  work. 

On  the  12th  of  ^lay,  1834,  the  new  con- 
ference  held    its   first  session,   at  the  house 


302  HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  Philip  Beetz,  on  Honey  creek,  in  Seneca 
county.  Samuel  Heistand  presided.  There 
were  present  John  Russel,  Jacob  Baulus, 
Geo.  Hiskey,  Jeremiah  Brown,  C.  Zook,  John 
Crum,  W.  T.  Trcicy,  Jacob  Bair,  0.  Strong, 
H.  Erret,  John  Smith,  S.  Easterly,  Philip 
Cramer,  B.  Moore,  Daniel  Strayer,  Israel 
Herrington,  Jacob  Crum,  PI.  Ivimberlin,  J. 
Fry,  and   J.  Alsop. 

^Nearly  all  these  ministers  were  local;  and 
they  had  settled,  with  their  families,  and  in 
most  cases  with  some  of  their  brethren,  in 
various  parts  of  the  conference,  and  had 
laid  the  foundation  of  the  church.  It  is 
but  just  to  say  that  the  influence  of  these 
men,  if  we  may  except  two  or  three  of  them, 
who  soon  formed  other  relations,  was  salu- 
tary. Many  of  them  are  now  standing  in 
the  same  communities  where  they  stood  thirty 
years  ago.  The  frosts  of  age  have  settled 
upon  their  heads;  the  wilderness  into  which 
they  moved  has  disappeared ;  the  church  has 
grown  up  strong  about  them,  and  their 
voices  are  seldom  heard  in  the  councils  of  the 
church;  but  they  enjoy  largely  the  confidence 
of  their  brethren;  they  are  earnest,  zealous, 
and  dearly  beloved. 

But  to  return.     John  Davis,  Jacob  Garber, 


UNITED    BKETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      303 

and  Stephen  Lillibridge  were  received  at  the 
first  conference;  and  three  more  usefid  men 
have  seklom  been  received  at  one  confer- 
ence. John  Davis  soon  entered  the  itiner- 
acy, and  for  many  years  labored  with  great 
faithfuhiess,  much  of  the  time  as  a  presiding 
elder.  On  a  salary  of  from  $75  to  $150, 
he  traveled  on  horseback  from  Crawford  Co., 
0.,  to  Allen  Co.,  Ind.,  four  times  a  year, 
year  after  year.  The  roads  were  extremely 
bad,  especially  in  the  winter  and  sj^ring,  but 
he  seldom  missed  an  appointment,  never  com- 
plained, and  always  wore  a  smile  as  he  en- 
tered the  cabins  of  the  west.  He  is  now  su- 
perannuated. His  head  is  white,  but  he  loves 
the  church  of  Jesus,  and  is  a  genial,  sweet- 
spirited  saint,  vv^aiting  for  the  coming  of  the 
Lord. 

Stephen  Lillibridge  did  more,  perhaps, 
than  any  other  man  of  his  day,  to  extend 
the  cause  in  the  Sandusky  conference.  He 
was  born  January  31st,  1815 ;  and  in  his 
eighteenth  year  he  experienced  religion  and 
united  with  the  church,  three  months  after 
which  he  was  moved  to  call  sinners  to  re- 
pentance; and  it  soon  became  manifest  that 
the  holy  missionary  fire  was  kindled  in  his 
breast.      Moved  by  this  spirit,  he  had  gone 


304  HISTORY    OF    THE 

into  the  Sandusky  country,  was  admitted' 
into  the  conference,  and  placed  in  Sandusky 
circuit.     The  stations  stood  thus: 

Richhmd  circuit:  B.  Moore,  J.  H.  Drake. 
Sandusky  circuit:  J.  Alsop,  S.  Lillibridge. 
Findlay  mission:  J.  Eckert,  by  P.  E.  Owl 
Creek  mission:  Mr.  Smith,  by  P.  E.  Maumee 
mission:  W.  T.  Tracy.  Mr.  Smith  soon  re- 
turned from  whence  he  came;  Mn  Eckert 
was  a  German,  did  not  join  the  confer- 
ence, and  his  stay  was  only  temporary;  Mr. 
Moore  was  very  useful  for  a  period,  but  from 
some  cause  his  sky  was  often  beclouded. 
After  years  of  j^artial  separation  from  the 
church,  he  died  while  on  the  overland-route 
to  the  Pacific.  Mr.  Lillibridge  was  all  that 
could  have  been  desired  as  a  Christian  and 
as  an  evangelist.  One  who  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  him*  and  is  not  addicted  to 
flattery,  writes:  "To  go  where  as  yet  the 
brethren  had  no  name  nor  home,  and 
where  Christ  was  seldom  preached  by  any 
ministry,  and  still  less  known,  was  his  pecul- 
iar call,  as  it  was  his  pleasure  and  delight. 
This  led  him,  amid  many  difficulties,  into  a 
country  which  was  comparatively  a  wilder- 
ness, both  in  a  natural  and  in  a  moral  sense; 

*  H.  G.  Spayth,  in  Telescope,  New  Series,  Vol.  XL,  p.  32. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    305 

yet  he  lived  long  enough  to  see  it  blossom 
and  bring  forth  precious  fruit,  while  joy  and 
hope,  like  flowers,  sprang  up  along  his  path. 
Though  poor — and  during  the  eight  years  of 
his  itineracy,  his  annual  pay  was  less  than 
a  hundred  dollars — and  although  he  suffered 
much  in  body  for  want  of  suitable  clothing 
during  the  winter  seasons,  yet  a  murmur,  so 
far  as  known,  never  escaped  his  lips.  From 
his  diary  it  appears  that,  during  his  brief 
career,  he  preached  nineteen  hundred  and 
thirty  sermons."  But  to  form  any  thing  like 
a  correct  estimate  of  his  labors,  the  reader 
must  take  into  account  the  size  of  the  mis- 
sions which  he  traveled,  and  the  character  of 
the  country  through  which  he  passed,  some- 
times on  horseback,  and  not  unfrequently 
afoot.  The  Black  Swamp  country,  though 
now  intersected  with  rail-roads,  and  dotted 
with  well-improved  farms  and  thriving  vil- 
lages, was  a  dreadful  countr^/ror  an  itine- 
rant minister  in  the  days  of  Lillibridge. 
After  forming  many  new  societies,  and  win- 
ning hundreds  to  Christ,  this  devoted  pioneer 
missionary,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight, 
and  on  the  25th  of  May  1843,  died  near 
Findlay,  0.  He  had  appeared  at  the  confer-^ 
ence  four  weeks  prior  to  his  decease,  in 
Vol.  IL— 20. 


806  HISTORY    OF    THE 

feeble  health,  and  had  taken  as  his  appoint- 
ment, Sandusky  circuit.  But  his  work  was 
done.  "In  view  of  death  he  was  happy.  He 
exhorted  his  young  wife  to  be  resigned,  and 
his  last  words  were 

'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are  ; 
While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head, 

And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there.'  " 

In  the  year  1836  the  Sandusky  conference, 
which  had  held  its  first  meeting  only  two  years 
previously,  was  able  to  report  seven  fields  of 
labor;  and  during  that  year  six  camp-meet- 
ings were  held  within  its  bounds.  One  of 
these  was  held  near  the  Auglaize  river,  ten 
miles  west  of  Findlay,  at  a  place  which,  seven 
years  before,  was  a  total  wilderness,  over  which 
only  the  Red  man  roamed.  "It  was  an  oc- 
casion," writes  Mr.  Baulus,  "which  I  hope 
will  never  be  forgotten  by  myself  and  many 
others.  Israel's  God  was  present  in  the 
sweetness  of  his  love  and  mercy.     Truly 

'  Jerusalem  breaks  forth  in  songs, 
A.nd  deserts  learn  the  joy  !' 

As  says  Isaiah:  'The  wilderness  and  the  sol- 
itary place  shall  be  glad  for  them:  and  the 
desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose; 
it  shall  blossom  abundantly,  and  rejoice  even 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     307 

with  joy  and  singing;  the  glory  of  Lebanon 
shall  be  given  unto  it.'  'In  the  wilderness 
shall  waters  break  out,  and  streams  in  the 
desert.'  Praise  the  Lord!  Fifteen  years 
ago,"  continues  Mr.  Baulus,  "I  was  the  only 
United  Brethren  preacher  in  this  district; 
now  there  are  about  thirty." 

Since  1834  the  progTess  of  the  cause  in 
the  north-western  portion  of  Ohio  has  been 
healthful.  But  the  most  successful  evangelists, 
and  those  who  did  most,  after  Mr.  Lillibridge, 
to  establish  the  cause  in  that  part  of  the  state, 
were  raised  up  and  put  into  the  ministry  by 
the  conterence  itself.  Among  the  earliest  of 
these  may  be  named  J.  Bever,  M.  Long,  and 
J.  C.  Bright. 

About  the  year  1835,  David  Landis,  a  de- 
voted layman,  moved  into  Defiance  Co.,  on 
the  Maumee  river;  and  he  soon  began  to 
urge  the  Miami  conference,  from  which  he 
had  moved,  to  send  missionaries  into  that 
new  region.  JN'othing  effectual  was  done,  how- 
ever, until  1841,  when  Henry  Kumler,  jun., 
who  had  just  been  elected  bishop,  moved  by 
that  missionary  spirit  which  has  characterized 
his  life,  opened  a  mission  in  Defiance  and 
adjoining  counties.  He  spent  the  summer, 
fall,  and  winter,  of  1841-42,  on  this  mission, 


308  HISTORY    OF    THE 

which  proved  to  be  a  most  successful  one. 
He  went  out  under  the  auspices  of  the  Miami 
conference;  without  missionary  funds,  how- 
ever. The  work  growing  on  his  hands,  by 
the  advice  of  the  brethren  on  the  mission, 
he  employed  Jonathan  Thomas  as  a  co-la- 
borer— a  most  excellent  choice,  as  few  men 
in  the  church  have  proved  themselves  to  be 
abler  j^reachers,  or  more  successful  evangel- 
ists. He  also  brought  into  the  ministry  of 
the  United  Brethren  church  Jos.  Miller, 
now  of  the  Iowa  conference,  Geo.  W.  Chap- 
man of  the  Sandusky;  and  Ezra  Crary  and 
John  D.  Martin,  both  of  whom  have  died  at 
their  posts.  With  these  ministers  Mr.  Kumler 
went  to  the  Sandusky  conference,  which  met 
in  the  spring  of  1842,  where  they  were  re- 
ceived, and  the  Maumee  mission  recognized 
as  a  part  of  the  Sandusky  work. 

Ten  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
conference,  a  correspondent  of  the  Telescope,* 
writes — "We  have  now  fourteen  circuits  and 
two  missions,  stretching  from  Richland  Co,, 
0.,  to  north-eastern  Indiana, — a  distance  of 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  embracing  the 
territory  watered  by  Sandusky,  Portage,  Mau- 
mee, and  Little  St.  Joseph  rivers.     The  past 

«  H.  G.  Spayth. 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    309 

year  has  been  an  eventful  one  to  the  churches. 
Many  have  been  made  to  rejoice  in  Jesus 
Christ.  Love-feasts  have  been  free  from  j^ar- 
tiality;  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  never  better. 
The  labors  of  the  ministry  here  are  truly 
arduous ;  but  by  divine  aid  the  brethren  have 
been  able  to  meet  them  with  increasing  en- 
ergy and  unexampled  success.  With  the 
new  year  the  work  appears  to  have  begun 
afresh." 

In  1853  the  Michigan  conference  was  set 
off  from  the  Sandusky ;  and  yet  the  Sandusky 
now  numbers  more  than  a  hundred  minis- 
ters, local  and  traveling,  and  more  than  seven 
thousand  members. 

These  are  a  few  of  the  facts  connected  with 
the  rise  of  the  United  Brethren  church  in 
north-western  Ohio. 


310  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XYIII. 

THE  WOEK  IN  NORTHERN  INDIANA  AND 
KENTUCKY. 

The  United  Brethren  were  among  the  first 
to  plant  the  standard  of  the  cross  in  the 
wilds  of  northern  Indiana.  The  first  sermon 
preached  by  a  United  Brethren  minister 
within  the  bounds  of  what  is  now  known  as 
St.  Joseph  conference,  which  embraces  north- 
ern Indiana,  and  a  strip  of  Michigan  on  the 
lake,  was  delivered  at  Isaac  Lamb's,  in  Tip- 
pecanoe Co.,  A.  D.  1830,  by  that  indefatigable 
pioneer  missionary  and  eloquent  preacher, 
John  Denham,  whose  sun,  alas,  has  set  in 
darkness!  The  settlers,  for  several  miles 
around  Mr.  Lamb's,  gathered  to  hear  him  ; 
and  great  interest  was  excited  by  his  preach- 
ing. He  was  followed  by  Josiah  Davis,  then 
a  young  man,  and  highly  esteemed.  Mr. 
Davis  succeeded  in  forming  two  societies, — 
one  at  Lamb's,  and  the  other  at  T.  Baker's, 
four    miles   distant.      In    1833,  James  Grif- 


UXITED    BRETHRE?^    IT^    CHRIST.     311 

FiTH  entered  the  new  field.  Quite  a  number 
of  extensive  revivals  of  religion  occurred  under 
his  labors ;  and  he  formed  several  new  classes, 
in  addition  to  the  two  formed  by  Mr.  Davis. 

In  the  fall  of  1834  William  Davis  was 
sent  out  by  the  Wabash  conference,  to  St. 
Joseph  Co.,  near  the  north  line  of  the  state. 
He  entered  upon  his  work  in  the  true  spirit 
of  a  missionary,  and  preached  at  numerous 
places  along  the  St.  Joseph  river,  extending 
his  labors  into  Berrien  Co.,  Michigan.  He 
formed  some  classes,  gave  the  work  an  excel- 
lent character,  and  did  much  to  establish  the 
principles  of  the  church. 

In  1837  James  GtRiffith  was  sent  into  the 
field  0}>ened  by  W.  Davis,  vs'here  he  traveled 
extensivel}^,  hunting  up  and  feeding  many 
scattered  sheep;  but  as  a  trifle  only  in  the 
way  of  support  could  be  furnished  by  the 
feeble  societies  in  the  wilderness,  he  was 
under  the  necessity  of  leaving  the  work  in 
the  spring  of  1838.  The  summer  which  fol- 
lowed is  still  remembei'ed  by  the  old  inhab- 
itants as  the  "sickly  summer."  Many  of  the 
best  members  of  the  church  died,  and  quite 
a  number,  becoming  discouraged  with  the 
country,  removed  to  other  parts.  Owing  to 
these    causes,  and   the   Avant   of   a    preacher, 


312  HISTORY    OF    THE 

three  out  of  the  four  organized  classes  were 
disbanded;  and,  in  all  probability  the  former 
labor  would  have  been  entirely  lost,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  following  singular  Provi- 
dence. 

A  young  man,  living  in  that  part  of  the 
state,  named  E.  H.  Lamb,  had,  for  two  or  three 
years,  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach;  and, 
after  the  mission  was  left  without  a  preacher, 
and  he  saw  the  work  going  to  ruin,  his  im- 
pressions became  deep  and  constant.  He  was 
just  commencing  the  business  of  life  for  him- 
self, had  laid  his  plans  for  the  future, — was 
a  man  of  engaging  manners,  well  calculated 
to  succeed;  and  his  prospects  for  worldly  suc- 
cess were  flattering.  But  he  could  not  rest. 
The  call  of  Jesus  was  ever  in  his  ear,  and 
he  concluded  to  forsake  all  and  follow  him. 
Accordingly  he  settled  his  business,  prepared 
himself  for  the  itinerant  work,  and  started 
for  the  Wabash  conference,  which  met  that 
year  near  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  a  distance  of 
one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  One  hundred 
miles  of  that  distance  he  went  alone;  and 
although  he  had  no  license  to  preach,  and 
was  without  any  recommendation  whatever, 
he  believed  that  he  would  be  received  into 
the  conference  and  into  the  itineracy.      The 


UNITED    BKETHKEN     IN    CHRIST.     313 

conference,  waiving  all  formalities  received 
him,  and  appointed  liim  to  the  forsaken  St. 
Joseph  circuit.  On  his  first  round  he  could 
do  little  more  than  visit  from  house  to 
house,  and  attend  upon,  and  pray  for  the 
sick.  Frequently,  as  he  rode  along  through 
the  sparse  settlements,  he  was  called  on  to 
perform  some  necessary  service  for  the  suf- 
fering. On  his  second  round  he  established 
eleven  appointments,  distributed  through  the 
counties  of  Elkhart,  St.  Joseph,  and  Laporte, 
Ind.,  and  Berrien,  Mich.,  which  he  filled  reg- 
ularly every  three  weeks.  Soon  after  J.  Davis, 
the  presiding  elder,  and  William  Davis,  the 
pioneer  missionary,  and  T.  Garregus,  a  local 
preacher,  moved  into  St.  Joseph  county. 
Under  the  joint  labors  of  these  four  preach- 
ers, the  work  was  revived  and  became  pros- 
perous. Some  new  classes  were  formed  and 
some  old  ones  revived;  and  at  the  close  of 
the  year  there  were  on  the  wcrk  six  organ- 
ized classes,  all  in  a  healthy  condition. 

During  this  time  the  Wild  Cat  circuit,  the 
one  first  opened  in  northern  Ind.,  had  been 
faithfully  sustained  by  various  preachers, 
whose  names  we  have  not  been  able  to  ob- 
tain. In  1839  eighty-five  members  were 
added    to   the   two  circuits;   and  during  the 


314  HISTORY    OF    THE 

same  year  Joiix  T albert,  upon  his  own  re- 
sponsibility, and  depending  wholly  upon  his 
own  resources,  preached  in  Fulton,  Wabash, 
and  Huntington  counties,  which  were  about 
midway  between  the  St.  Joseph  and  Wild  Cat 
missions,  where  he  formed  one  class,  and 
established  several  appointments. 

At  the  session  of  the  Wabash  conference 
for  1840,  a  new  work  was  projected  in  Car- 
roll and  Cass  counties,  on  which  Mr.  Sage 
was  placed.  In  1840  Asa  Coho  traveled  the 
Wild  Cat  circuit,  and  labored  efficiently;  and 
Mr.  Baker,  though  young,  was  useful  on 
St.  Joseph,  where  he  organized  two  societies. 
On  the  Tippecanoe  mission,  traveled  by  E. 
II.  Laml)  and  J.  Orn,  there  were  many  val- 
uable accessions  to  the  church. 

In  1834  Joseph  Terrel,  who,  with  his 
wife,  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  emigrated  to  Fulton  Co.,  Ind.  For 
thirty  miles  of  the  way  they  surveyed  and 
cut  their  own  road  through  the  wilderness. 
In  the  forests  of  Fulton  county,  with  little 
society  except  Indians,  who  were  numer- 
ous, they  erected  the  family  altar.  Often  did 
they  speak  of  the  happiness  of  other  years, 
and  pray  that  a  minister  of  their  own  church 
might    come    to    their    neighborhood.       The 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     315 

autumn  after  their  arrival,  "we  heard,"  writes 
Mr.  Terrel,  "that  four  ftimilies  had  camped 
on  the  creek,  about  a  mile  from  where  we 
resided.  I  went  to  visit  them;  and  the  first 
person  I  saw  was  an  aged  lady  on  her  knees, 
with  both  hands  lifted  up  in  prayer.  With 
joy  I  hastened  home  to  inform  my  wife." 
These  persons  proved  to  be  Methodists;  and 
soon  a  prayer-meeting  was  started  at  Mr.  T.'s 
house.  In  the  fkll  of  1839  John  Talbert,  as 
before  stated,  opened  a  mission  in  Fulton 
and  adjoining  counties.  "One  day,"  writes 
Mr.  Terrel,  "while  plowing  in  my  field,  about 
twent}^  rods  from  the  road,  I  saw  a  man 
riding  along,  who  looked  so  much  like  a 
United  Brethren  minister,  that  I  started  to- 
ward him  to  hail  him;  but  thinking  I  might 
be  mistaken,  I  returned  to  my  plow.  The 
stranger  passed  on  to  the  next  house ;  and 
thinking,  perhaps,  that  the  family  lie  had 
passed  were  Brethren,  made  inquiry,  and  as 
a  matter  of  course  soon  returned.  He  formed, 
at  Terrel's,  a  class  of  eight  members.  This  was 
the  first  society  planted  in  a  region  of  country 
extending  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  north 
and  south.  These  incidents  are  related  to 
show  how  great,  often,  are  the  religious  wants 
of  the  pioneers  of  the  church,  how  much  they 


316  HISTORY    OF    THE 

appreciate  religious  society,  and  esj^ecially  the 
visits  of  their  own  ministers,  and  how  greatly 
the  morality  of  the  country  is  indebted  to 
them  for  the  interest  which  they  manifest  in 
establishing  the  institutions  of  Christianity. 

But  to  return  to  our  narrative.  In  the 
autumn  of  1840  a  camp-meeting  was  held 
near  Joseph  Terrel's,  during  which  not  less 
than  fifty  conversions  to  God  occurred.  Only 
eight  tents  were  erected  on  the  ground. 

In  August,  1841,  another  camp-meeting  was 
held,  on  the  same  ground,  which  was,  con- 
fessedly, one  of  the  most  powerful  meetings 
ever  held  in  that  country.  The  ground  was 
surrounded  with  tents,  and  a  great  number  of 
people  assembled.  One  incident  occured  which 
deserves  special  notice. 

Among  the  persons  awakened  a'^  this  meet- 
ing was  JosiAH  Terrel,  a  man  of  consider- 
able note  in  his  neighborhood.  Being  one 
of  Satan's  recruiting  officers,  he  delighted  in 
sports  of  A^arious  kinds,  played  the  violin 
well,  and  loved  the  dance.  Drawn  to  the 
camp-meeting  by  curiosity,  he  was  awakened, 
went  forward  to  the  altar,  invited  the  at- 
tention of  the  people,  and  there  made  a  pub- 
lic confession  of  his  sinful  life — expressed  his 
determination   to    be   a   Christian,    and   then 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     317 

knelt  as  a  penitent  at  the  mourner's  bench. 
While  he  spoke,  every  eye  was  filled  with 
tears ;  and  after  he  knelt,  his  plaintive  voice, 
pleading  for  mercy,  could  be  distinctly  heard 
above  all  the  other  voices.  But  he  did  not 
find  peace  at  the  meeting.  He  requested 
Bro.  Lamb,  on  the  evening  after  the  meet- 
ing closed,  to  preach  at  his  house,  which 
he  did.  During  the  meeting  Mr.  Terrel 
arose,  confessed  how  he  had  been  attached  to 
the  fiddle,  and  had  taught  his  children  and 
neighbors  to  dance,  asked  forgiveness  of  all, 
and  then  deliberately  taking  down  the  offend- 
ing instrument  of  music,  he  cast  it  into  the 
fire.  Soon  after  he  found  salvation,  and  be- 
gan to  preach;  and,  we  may  add,  he  proved 
himself  a  chosen  vessel  of  the  Lord. 

The  Lord  of  the  harvest  now  began  more 
rapidly  to  multiply  the  laborers  in  this  widen- 
ing field.  At  a  quarterly  conference  held  on 
St.  Joseph  circuit,  in  1842,  William  Davis, 
the  presiding  elder,  organized  a  missionary 
movement  which  operated  very  favorably  for 
the  cause.  Three  men,  Joseph  Terrel,  Josiah 
Terrel,  and  T.  J.  Babcoke,  had  obtained  li- 
cense to  preach ;  and  Mr.  Davis  informed 
them  that  he  wished  to  employ  them  all  as 
missionaries.      He   told    them    frankly   that 


318  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

there  was  no  missionary  money  to  pay  them — 
that  they  must  depend  upon  the  small  sums 
given  them  by  the  people,  looking  for  their 
principal  reward  in  the  world  to  come.  They 
all  consented,  on  these  terms,  to  travel.  Bab- 
coke  was  sent  toward  Middleburg,  Joseph 
Terrel  toward  Huntington,  and  Josiah  to  the 
region  about  Leesburg.  Each  of  these  mis- 
sionaries, sent  out  from  the  quarter}}''  con- 
ference by  the  i)residing  elder,  was  success- 
ful in  planting  the  church  in  the  new  fields 
named.  Thus  did  the  work  go  on  from  year 
to  year  in   northern  Indiana. 

While  the  borders  of  the  church  were  be- 
ing extended  to  the  Xorth  and  West,  other 
laborers  were  pushing  the  Savior's  conquests 
southward  into  Kextucky. 

A  few  families  of  United  Brethren  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky  in  an  early  day;  and 
among  the  number  the  devoted  Baker  may 
be  named.  But  being  far  separated  from  any 
conference,  they  were  absorbed  by  other  relig- 
ious societies.  Between  1810  and  1830,  oc- 
casional tours  "were  made  through  portions 
of  the  state  by  our  ministers,  bishop  JN'ew- 
comer  among  the  others. 

But  to  John  M.  Blair,  a  minister  of  the 
Indiana  conference,  belongs  the  credit  of  es- 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     319 

tablishing  the  first  society  of  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  south  of  Green  river,  and  in  the 
heart  of  Kentucky. 

He  organized  a  society  in  Adair  Co.,  Ky., 
in  1833,  and  traveled  extensively  through 
Adair  and  the  adjoining  counties,  preaching 
faithfullv;  and  God  was  with  him.  Many 
souls  were  converted  under  his  labors,  and 
he  organized  some  good  societies.  During 
the  first  year  of  his  labors  he  was  joined  by 
his  brother,  William  Blair,  who  proved  to 
be  a  very  efficient  co-laborer.  "It  seemed," 
says  William,  "as  if  God  was  in  our  front 
and  rear,   during  those  years." 

In  the  year  1837  these  brothers  attended 
the  Indiana  conference,  of  which  John  M. 
was  a  member,  where  William  was  licensed 
to  preach.  By  this  time  doors  had  been 
opened  in  Cumberland,  Bussel,  and  Wayne 
counties,  in  all  of  which  souls  were  won  to 
Christ.  Soon  these  faithful  brothers  were  en- 
couraged by  other  laborers  raised  up  among 
their  converts.  The  earliest  of  these  were 
William  Traylor  and  B.  T.  Leftwich, — the 
former,  after  a  few  years  of  faithful  service, 
was  called  to  his  reward. 

The  Indiana  conference  sent  out  preachers 
from  time  to  time,  who  visited  the  Kentucky 


320  HISTORY    OF    THE 

work,  and  gave  it  new  life.  In  the  year 
1850,  the  annual  conference  was  held  in  Adair 
Co.,  bishop  Glossbrenner  presiding.  "This," 
says  Mr.  Blair,  "gave  great  strength  to 
the  cause;  for,  be  it  remembered,  we  were 
greatly  persecuted,  even  by  those  who  claimed 
to  be  enlightened  and  evangelical  Christians. 
Such  would  give  out  the  impression  that 
there  were  no  United  Brethren  except  a 
handful,  in  Adair  Co.,  Kentucky,  and  that  in 
a  few  years  they  would  come  to  naught. 
The  conference  dissipated  this  error,  and  some 
others."  In  spite  of  the  powers  of  darkness, 
the  work  continued  to  advance. 

Remarking  upon  the  obstacles  in  the  way 
of  progress,  Mr.  Blair  very  justly  remarks: 
"We  have  passed  through  deep  waters  and 
fiery  trials,  because  of  our  peculiar  views  of 
slavery  and  secret  societies;  but  we  have 
been  careful  to  maintain  the  principles  of  the 
church,  and  we  are  not  disposed  to  complain  on 
account  of  persecutions.  Our  fathers  in  the 
Lord  have  suffered  before  us,  and  have  got 
home,  and  we  will  meet  them  on  the  other 
s,hore,  if  faithful." 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.   321 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

f GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  1837  —  A  CHURCH 
CONSTITUTION — BISHOP  HEISTAND — GENERAL 
CONFERENCE    OF    1841 H.    KUMLER,  JR. 

The  £.eventh  general  conference  met  at  Ger- 
mantovfzi,  Montgomery  Co.,  0.,  May  9th,  1837. 
bishop  Heistand,  who  was  then  near  the  close 
of  his  life,  delivered,  at  the  opening  of  the 
<K)nference,  a  very  touching  sermon.  Eight 
annual  conferences  were  represented,  as  fol- 
V)ws : — 

Pennsijlvania  conference: — Jacob  Erb,  Jacob 
Winters. 

Virgmia  conference: — Jacob  Rhinehart,  J.  J. 
Grlossbrenner. 

Muskingum  conference: — Adam  Hetzler,  Da- 
rid  Weimer. 

Sandusky  conference: — John  Dorcas,  George 
Hiskey. 

Scioto  conference: — John  Coons,  William 
Hanby. 

Miami  conference: — J.  Eetherhuff,  William 
Stubbs. 

Vol.  II.— 21. 


322  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Indiana  conference:  —  F.  Whitcom,  John 
Lopp. 

Wabash  conference: — F.  Kenoyer,  William 
Davis. 

Bishops  Heistand  and  Kumler  presided, 
bishop  Brown  not  being  in  attendance.  'No 
new  conference  was  set  oif.  Samuel  Heistand, 
Henry  Kumler,  sen.,  and  Jacob  Erb,  were 
elected  bishops.  John  Russel,  George  Dres- 
back,  and  Jonathan  Dresback,  were  elected 
trustees  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  W. 
R.  Rhinehart  was  elected  editor  of  the  Tel- 
escope, and  W.  Hanby  general  book  agent 
and  treasurer.  These  details  may  be  of  little 
interest  to  the  general  reader,  yet  we  think 
it  necessary  that  they  be  given  in  a  work  of 
this  kind. 

The  subject  of  the  greatest  interest,  how- 
ever, which  came  before  the  conference,  re- 
lated to  a  Constitution  for  the  church.  It 
was  introduced  by  Mr.  Rhinehart.  He  had 
drafted  a  Constitution,  and,  on  the  first  day 
of  the  session,  presented  it  to  the  conference, 
asking,  by  a  motion,  that  the  subject  be 
taken  up  and  considered.  This  motion,  after 
considerable  discussion,  was  adopted.  The 
matter  being  now  fairly  before  the  conference, 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Hanby,  it  was   ^'Resolved 


UNITED    BEETHKEN    IN    CHEIST.    323 

that  a  Constitution  for  the  better  regulation 
of  the  church  be  adopted."  The  draft  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  Rhinehart  was  then  read,  and 
examined,  by  items,  amended  as  desired,  and 
adopted  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  confer- 
ence. 

The  conference,  however,  did  not  regard 
its  action  as  final,  or  as  at  all  binding  on  the 
church.  The  delegates  had  not  been  in- 
structed to  make  a  constitution;  and,  recogniz- 
ing themselves  as  only  the  representatives 
and  servants  of  the  church,  they  caused  the 
instrument  to  be  printed,  accompanied  by  a 
circular,  calling  the  attention  of  the  church 
to  the  same,  and  asking  that  the  delegates  to 
the  general  conference  of  1841  be  instructed 
to  adopt,  amend,  or  reject  the  same. 

It  was  also  agreed  that  to  the  general 
conference  of  1841  Pennsylvania  conference 
should  send  4  delegates;  Virginia  2;  Scioto 
4;  Miami  3;  Wabash  2;  Indiana  3;  Mus- 
kingum 2;  Sandusky  2.  These  figures  indi- 
cate, pretty  accurately,  the  relative  strength 
of  the  conferences  in  1837. 

Between  1837  and  1841,  the  church  was 
favored  with  numerous  revivals  of  religion. 
The  columns  of  the  organ  of  the  church 
contain  numerous  notices  like  the  following: — 


324  HISTORY    OF    THE 

"Mourners  poured  forward  to  the  anxious 
benches,  it  was  supposed,  to  the  number  of 
one  hundred  or  more;  and  it  appeared  as  fast 
as  the  Lord  healed  the  broken-hearted,  the 
arrows  of  conviction  fastened  on  others.  Sev- 
enty-three joined  church.  During  the  meet- 
ing a  conversation  among  the  wicked  was 
overheard  by  one  of  the  brethren.  While 
all  were  astonished  at  the  work,  one  of  the 
number  proposed  to  the  comjjany  that  they 
would  go  up  to  the  altar,  and  see  what  was 
going  on;  another  observed  that  they  had 
better  stay  away;  for,  said  he,  'the  preachers 
are  so  well  skilled  in  their  business  that 
their  voice  has  an  electrifying  influence,  and 
if  jDeople  get  near  them  they  will  be  so 
shocked  that  they  will  be  sm-e  to  fall,'  so 
they  all  agreed  to  stay  away." — \_Geo.  Bone- 
braJce,  Miami  conference^   1838. 

"Christian  professors  have  been  renewed, 
and  sinners  converted.  Within  the  short 
space  of  seven  weeks,  sixty  persons  have 
united  with  the  church;  and  we  trust  God 
has  enrolled  their  names  in  the  book  of 
life." — \E.  Vandemark,  Scioto  conference^  1839. 

"Our  third  protracted  meeting  was  held  at 
Greencastle,  Pa.  The  altar  was  crowded  with 
mourners,  and  many  were  emancipated  from 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN"    CHRIST.      325 

sin.  Uj)ward  of  sixty  have  united  with  tlie 
church  since  conference." — [/.  Bitter^  Pennsyl- 
vania, 1839. 

''God  was  in  the  camp  day  and  night, 
from  the  commencement  to  the  close  of  tlie 
meeting.  We  had  tlie  pleasure  of  seeing 
sinners  awakened,  mourners  converted,  back- 
sliders reclaimed,  and  believers  sanctified." — 
[D.  S.  Spessard,  Va.,  1840. 

"A  number  were  brought  to  yield  to  the 
heavenly  influences  of  the  Spirit  of  Grod.  Fif- 
ty-seven joined  church  during  this  meeting." 
— [6r.  A.  S/iuei/,  near  Boonsborough,  Md.,  1840. 

"Our  altar  was  crowded  with  mourners,  and 
man}^  were  converted.  Some  were  converted, 
also,  at  their  homes,  some  in  the  woods ;  and 
in  almost  every  direction  the  cries  of  the 
distressed  were  heard.  Seventy  have  been 
received  into  the  church,  and  the  work  is 
still  going  on."' — [i^.  Whitcom,  Lewishurg,  0., 
1840. 

"The  meeting  continued  eight  days,  during 
which  time  eighty  souls  were  hapj^ily  convert- 
ed to  Grod.  Seventy  of  this  number  joined 
church." — [Jas.McGaw,  Muskingum  conference, 
1840. 

To  the  old  church  in  Baltimore  fifty  mem- 
bers were  added,  during  a  revival  in  1840. 


326  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

In  Indiana,  in  1839,  at  Abington,  thirty 
were  added  to  the  church;  at  a  camj)-meeting 
in  Wayne  Co.  there  were,  it  is  believed, 
seventy-five  conversions,  and  fifty  were  added 
to  the  church;  and  on  Fhit  Rock  circuit 
there  were,  during  the  same  year,  two  hun- 
dred accessions.  These  are  given  only  aa 
specimens  from  the  correspondence  of  the  la-> 
borers  in  the  vineyard. 

During  the  year  1838  one  of  the  venerable 
superintendents  of  the  church  was  taken  from, 
the  resj)onsible  post  assigned  him,  to  his  re- 
ward. His  character  and  services  demand 
more  than  a  passing  notice.  Reference  is  had 
to  bishop  Heistand. 

Samuel  Heistand  was  born  in  Shenan- 
doah (now  Page)  Co.,  Va.,  March  3rd,  1781. 
His  parents  belonged  to  the  Renewed  United 
Brethren,  commonly  known  as  Moravians.* 
His  mother  was  a  native  of  Grermany,  and 
was  a  woman  of  more  than  ordinary  intel- 
ligence and  piety.  He  was  the  youngest  of 
six  sons.  Two  of  his  brothers,  Abraham  and 
John,  were  ministers  in  the  United  Brethren 
church;  the  first  named  was  a  man  of  much 
ability   and    influence.      When    quite   young, 

*  This  fact,  with  most  others  relating  to  his  persoual  history,  is 
obtained  from  letters  from  Tobias  and  Manuel  Heistand,  filed  in 
Telescope  oflRce. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     327 

Samuel  experienced  religion;  but,  like  too 
many,  lie  lost  liis  first  love.  In  1806,  about 
two  years  after  his  removal  to  Ohio,  he  was 
aroused  from  his  partially  backslidden  state, 
under  the  preaching  of  that  faithful  man  of 
God,  George  Benedum.  He  soon  joined  Mr. 
Benedum  as  a  pioneer  evangelist,  in  the  wilds 
of  Ohio,  and  was  nicknamed  Mr.  B.'s  "ap- 
prentice." He  could  hardly  have  been  placed 
under  a  better  master.  He  was  licensed  to 
exhort,  by  the  Miami  conference,  in  1819,  and 
to  preach  in  1820.  He  proved  to  be  a  very 
efficient  itinerant  preacher,  and  shared,  until 
the  day  of  his  death,  largely  in  the  confidence 
of  his  brethren. 

He  was  secretary  of  the  third  general  con- 
ference, was  a  delegate  to  the  fourth,  and 
also  to  the  sixth,  which  convened  in  Ross 
Co.,  in  1833,  at  which  he  was  chosen  to  the 
superintendency,  in  connection  with  Henry 
Kumler,  sen,,  to  fill  the  place  made  vacant 
by  the  death  of  Christian  Newcomer. 

He  took  an  active  and  leading  part  in  the 
business  and  labors  of  the  church,  from  1821 
to  the  period  of  his  death  in  1838,  as  the 
records  of  the  Scioto  annual,  and  of  the  gen- 
eral, conference  show.  He  was  warmly  at- 
tached   to    evangelical    religion,    took    great 


328  HISTOEY    OP    THE 

interest  in  the  benevolent  operations  of  the 
church,  possessed  an  earnest  missionary  spirit, 
heartily  espoused  the  cause  of  the  religious 
press,  then  feeble  and  poor  in  our  church, 
and  was  oj^posed  to  slavery  and  to  secret  so- 
cieties, esj^ecially  to  Freemasonry. 

The  last  general  conference  which  he  at- 
tended, and  by  which  he  was  re-elected  bish- 
op, was,  perhaps,  quite  as  important,  in  the 
influence  it  exerted  upon  the  cause,  as  any 
which  has  been  held.  He  opened  the  con- 
ference with  a  sermon  which  moved  many  to 
tears ;  and  he  entered  into  the  important  bus- 
iness which  came  up  with  rather  more  than 
his  accustomed  earnestness.  On  the  9th  of 
October,  1838,  he  died.  Until  a  short  time 
prior  to  his  death  he  retained  his  wonted 
vigor  and  strength  of  mind.  In  conversation 
with  his  brother  Joseph,  four  days  j^i'evious 
to  his  demise,  he  said  that  he  had,  during 
the  day,  "felt  the  sweet  drawings  of  heaven 
more  powerfully  than  ever  before;"  and  after 
speech  had  failed  him,  the  name  "heaven," 
pronounced  in  his  hearing,  would  cause  his 
face  to  be  lit  up  with  a  smile. 

He  was  a  man  of  excellent  social  qualities, 
warmly  attached  to  his  large  family  and  his 
country  home,    noted  for  his  hospitality,  no 


UNITED    BEETHEE?^    IN    CHRIST.    329 

one  ever  going  away  hungry  from  his  door. 
Cheerful  even  to  vivacity,  like  all  men  of 
such  temperament,  he  was  subject  to  seasons 
of  reaction  from  the  zenith  of  bliss  to  the 
depths  of  despondency. 

The  eighth  general  conference  met  May  10th, 
1841,  at  Dresback's  church,  Pickaway  Co.,  0. 
H.  Kumler  and  Jacob  Erb  were  in  attend- 
ance; and  also  the  following  delegates: — 

Pennsylvania  conference: — J.  Russel,  Jacob 
Hoop. 

Virginia  conference: — J.  J.  Glossbrenner, 
W.  R.  Coursey. 

MiisJcinyum  conference: — A.  Biddle,  James 
McGraw. 

tSanditsky  conference:  —  H.  G-.  Spayth,  G. 
Hiskey. 

Alleghany  conference: — J.  Ritter,   G-.  Miller. 

Scioto  conference: — ^William  Hastings,  John 
Coons,  J.  Montgomery,  E.  Yandemark. 

Miami  conference: — Henry  Kumler,  jr.,  F. 
Whitcom. 

Indiana  conference: — Henry  Bonebrake,  Jos. 
A.  Ball,  J.  G.  Eckels. 

Wabash  conference: — Josiah  Davis,  William 
Davis. 

After  the  preliminary  business  was  dis- 
posed of,   the  subject  of  a  constitution  was 


330  HISTORY    OF    THE 

again  introduced,  and  discussed  with  more 
warmth  than  ever.  At  length  a  vote  was 
taken,  which  resulted  in  favor  of  a  constitu- 
tion; and  a  committee,  composed  of  one  dele- 
gate from  each  conference,  reported  a  consti- 
tution, substantially  the  one  that  had  been 
before  the  church  for  four  years,  which  was, 
after  some  slight  amendments,  adopted.  As 
the  reader  will  be  pleased  to  see  it  in  these 
pages,  we  quote  it  entire: — 

COXSTITUTIOK 

We,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Bretheen  in  Christ,  in  the  name 
of  Grod,  do,  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints, 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for  the  edifying 
of  the  body  of  Christ,  as  well  as  to  produce 
and  secure  a  uniform  mode  of  action,  in  faith 
and  practice,  also  to  define  the  powers  and 
the  business  of  quarterly,  annual  and  general 
conferences,  as  recognized  by  this  church,  or- 
dain the  following  articles   of  Constitution. 

Article  I. 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein 
granted,  to  make  or  repeal  any  rule  of  dis- 
cipline, is  vested  in  a  general  conference, 
which  shall  consist  of  elders,  elected  by  the 


UNITED    BRETHREX    IN    CHRIST.     331 

members  in  every  conference  district  through-' 
out  the  society;  provided  however,  such  elders 
shall  have  stood  in  that  capacity  three  years 
in  the  conference  district  to  which  they  belong. 

Sec.  2.  General  conference  is  to  be  held 
every  four  years ;  the  bishops  to  be  considered 
members,  and  presiding  officers. 

Sec.  3.  Each  annual  conference  shall  place 
before  the  society  the  names  of  all  the  elders 
eligible  to  membership  in  the  general  con- 
ference. 

Article  II. 

Section  1.  The  general  conference  shall  de- 
fine the  boundaries  of  the  annual  conferences. 

Sec.  2.  The  general  conference  shall,  at 
every  session,  elect  bishops  from  among  the 
elders  throughout  the  church,  who  have  stood 
six  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  of  each  annual  con- 
ference shall  be  done  strictly  according  to 
discipline;  and  any  annual  conference  acting 
contrary  thereunto,  shall,  by  imj^eachment,  be 
tried  by  the  general  conference. 

Sec.  4.  No  rule  or  ordinance  shall  at  any 
time  be  passed,  to  change  or  do  away  the 
confession  of  faith  as  it  now  stands,  nor  to 
destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 


332  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

Sec.  5.  There  shall  no  rule  be  adopted  that 
will  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  any  as  it  re- 
lates to  the  mode  of  baptism,  the  sacrament 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  or   the  washing  of  feet. 

Sec.  6.  There  shall  be  no  rule  made  that  will 
deprive  local  preachers  of  their  votes  in  the  an- 
nual conferences  to  which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.  7.  There  shall  be  no  connection  with 
secret  combinations,  nor  shall  involuntary  ser- 
vitude be  tolerated  in  any  way. 

Sec.  8.  The  right  of  appeal  shall  be  in- 
violate. 

Aeticle  III. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all 
property,  whether  consisting  in  lots  of  ground, 
meeting-houses,  legacies,  bequests  or  donations 
of  any  kind,  obtained  by  purchase  or  other- 
wise, by  any  person  or  persons,  for  the  use, 
benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  is  hereby  fully 
recog-nized  and  held  to  be  the  property  of  the 
church  aforesaid. 

Aeticle  IY. 

There  shall  be  no  alteration  of  the  forego- 
ing Constitution,  unless  by  request  of  two- 
thirds  oi  the  whole  society.     May  19,  1841. 


UNITED    BEETHREJf    IN    CHEIST.     333 

W.  Hanby  was  elected  editor  of  the  Tel- 
escope, and  George  and  Jonathan  Dresback, 
and  W.  Leist,  trustees.  A  parent  missionary 
board  was  elected,  and  it  was  resolved  that  a 
German  paper  be  established  in  Baltimore. 
H.  Kumler,  sen.,  and  Jacob  Erb,  were  re- 
elected bishops,  and  H.  Kumler,  jun.,  and 
John  Coons,  were  also  elected  to  the  general 
superintendency.  The  session  continued  ten 
days,   and  was  a  remarkably  pleasant  one. 

Heney  Kumlee,  jun.,  one  of  the  newly-elect- 
ed bishops,  was  born  in  Lancaster  Co.,  Pa.,  Jan. 
16th,  1801 ;  converted  to  God  in  his  14th  year, 
and  elected  leader  of  a  class ;  received  license 
to  preach  in  1819 ;  sj^ent  sixteen  very  unhappy 
years  in  a  half-local  relation ;  entered  the  itin- 
eracy, without  reserve,  in  183o;  was  elected 
presiding  elder  in  the  Miami  conference  in 
1836;  which  office  he  filled  until  his  election 
to  the  superintendency,  in  1841.  He  has 
served  as  missionary  in  the  Maumee  country, 
in  south-western  Missouri,  and  in  Nebraska; 
and  he  is  now  devoting  himself,  in  his  old 
age,  with  undiminished  zeal  and  industry,  to 
the  toilsome  German  mission  work.  No 
church  has  ever  had  a  more  persevering  serv- 
vant.  As  a  superintendent,  from  1841  to  1845, 
his  influence  was  excellent. 


334  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   HIGHER   CHRISTIAN   LIFE. 

Let  us  now  turn  our  attention  from  the 
outward  to  the  inward  life  of  the  church — 
to  that  higher  Christian  life,  the  bare  men- 
tion of  which  makes  the  heart  beat  more 
quickly.  Enoch  walked  with  God  three  hund- 
red years;  and  in  every  age  since  Enoch, 
persons  have  lived  who  have  attained  to  such 
eminence  in  holiness,  that  their  example  and 
their  words  stir  the  soul  with  a  2:>eculiar 
power.  We  have  all  felt  that  nothing  is  so 
eloquent  as  a  holy  life.  Who  can  read 
Thomas  a  Kempis,  Madame  Guyon,  Madame 
Catharine  Adorna,  Fletcher,  Upham,  or  Mrs. 
Palmer,  without  feeling  a  hungering  and 
thirsting  after  righteousness  which  no  ordi- 
nary experience  or  attainment  can  satisfy? 

In  the  year  1844,  a  revival  of  the  spirit  of 
holiness  was  commenced  in  our  church  which 
is  interesting  in  its  character,  and  which  has, 
without   doubt,   exerted  a  wide-spread  infiu,- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     335 

ence  upon  the  religious  life  of  many  people. 
"We  call  it  a  revival,  because  the  fathers  be- 
lieved that  the  blood  of  Jesus  cleanseth  from 
all  sin;  and  many  of  them  tested  by  exper- 
ience, and  boldly  preached,  the  doctrine  of  a 
present  and  full  salvation.  Mr.  Otterbein 
entertained  the  most  enlarged  views  of  the 
power  of  God  to  save  unto  the  uttermost ;  and 
probabl}^  few  men  have  sustained  the  doctrine 
he  preached  by  a  purer  life.  In  a  letter  to 
an  enemy  of  this  doctrine  he  said: — 

"You  ask  what  sanctification  is,  and  what 
comes  to  pass  thereby.  Here  the  best  for  us 
to  do  would  be,  thatw^e  both  pray  for  the  spirit 
of  sanctification,  since  before  then  we  can  not, 
by  any  means,  coniprehend  it.  The  word  of 
God  speaks,  however,  concerning  the  subject, 
plainly  enough,  making  a  ditference  between 
justification  and  sanctification.  And  this  dif- 
ference accords  also  with  reason;  for,  is  it  not 
one  thing  when  Pharoah  takes  Joseph  from 
prison,  and  another  when  he  enrobes  him  in 
kingly  aj)parel,  and  sets  him  a  prince  over 
the  whole  land  of  Egypt?" 

And  bishop  Newcomer,  who  was  a  leading 
evangelist  in  the  church  from  1780  to  1830, 
was  a  preacher  and  a  witness  of  this  blessed 


336  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

truth.  Of  an  early  period  in  his  Christian 
experience  he  writes: — 

"So  I  went  on  alternately,  sometimes  hap- 
py, at  other  times  not  so;  at  times  full  of 
spirit  and  courage,  at  other  times  disheart- 
ened; but  whenever  I  had  a  longing  desire 
to  find  Jesus  precious  to  my  soul,  he  would 
manifest  himself  to  me,  by  blessing  me;  then 
I  was  ready  to  do  and  suifer  for  Jesus'  sake 
all  things.  *  *  *  in  this  manner  I  went 
on  for  some  time,  believing  it  to  be  the  will 
of  God  concerning  me,  to  enter  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  through  severe  trials  and  manifold 
tribulations.  However,  my  opinion  was  soon 
changed  on  this  point,  for  reading,  'The  king- 
dom of  God  is  not  meat  or  drink,  but  right- 
eousness, peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.' 
I  concluded  with  the  poet: 

*  Why  should  the  childreu  of  a  king, 
Go  mourning  all  their  days  V 

So  I  determined  by  grace  divine,  to  obtain 
that  perfect  love  which  casteth  out  fear,  and 
is  able  to  rejoice  in  tribulation,  and  say, 
'Although  thou  slay  me,  yet  will  I  praise 
thee.'  " — Journal^  p.  12. 

He  seems  to  have  lived  fifty  years  in  a 
state  of  constant  communion  with  God,  and 
complete    consecration    to    him.      "My  poor 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     337 

soul,"  he  writes,  "Avill  rely  on  thee,  and  thee 
alone;  in  thee  will  I  put  my  trust,  and  claim 
all  thy  promises  for  my  own.  Only  teach 
me  to  submit  totally  to  thy  will,  and  prepare 
me  fully  for  eternal  glory."  Again  he  writes: 
"0  Lord,  my  all  is  thiney — Journal,  p.  311. 

It  is  not  of  a  new  doctrine  then,  that  we 
speak,  or  of  a  new  experience,  but  of  an  old 
doctrine — old  as  the  fathers,  nay,  old  as  the 
Bible.     But  to  the  revival. 

During  the  year  1844,  Jesse  Wilson,  a, 
pious  minister  of  the  Scioto  conference,  while 
sinking  rapidly  under  consumption,  obtained 
what  he  regarded  as  the  blessing  of  entire 
sanctification.  On  Christmas  day,  a  few  weeks 
previous  to  his  death,  while  praying  in  the 
house  of  a  neighbor,  he  was  led  out  in  an 
unusual  manner  for  the  blessing  which  he 
had  long  sought,  and  which  he  believed  might 
be  obtained  by  faith.  He  seemed  to  forget  the 
friends  who  were  about  him,  and  to  talk  with 
God  as  if  alone  with  him.  "With  every  sen- 
tence uttered,  his  confidence  seemed  to  increase, 
until  he  was  enabled  to  claim  the  promise. 
In  an  instant  he  cried  out  with  tears,  "I 
have  got  it!  0  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee, — 
I  will  confess  thee!"  From  that  hour  until 
his   decease,  he  preached  to   all  who  visited 

Vol.  II.— 23. 


338  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

him  upon  the  subject  of  holiness,  and  many 
were  convinced  and  led  into  the  possession 
of  the  blessing  through  his  instrumentality. 

A  few  days  after  Jesse  Wilson  professed 
the  blessing,  David  Edwards,  then  stationed 
preacher  in  Circlevilic,  also  claimed  it;  and, 
as  he  was  the  principal  instrument  employed 
in  carrying  forward  this  work,  and  was  for 
many  years  its  most  prominent  advocate,  the 
reader  will  be  pleased,  no  doubt,  to  see  his 
experience,  at  length,  in  these  pages. 

"My  parents,"  says  Mr.  E.,  "were  strict 
Presbyterians,  and  taught  me  to  pray  regu- 
larly night  and  morning,  from  my  earliest 
recollection.  They  also  taught  me  the  neces- 
sity of  a  change  of  heart  through  faith  in 
Christ.  At  about  seven  years  of  age,  I 
was  impressed  that  I  would  be  called  to  the 
ministry.  From  this  time  forward,  I  sought 
the  Lord  in  secret,  and  led  a  moral  life.  In 
the  Sabbath-school,  as  well  as  under  the 
preaching  of  Grod's  word,  I  would  often  weep, 
and  pray  earnestly  for  the  pardon  of  my  sins, 
— but  I  obstinately  refused  to  offer  myself 
for  church  membership,  until  some  time  in 
the  winter  of  1834,  while  attending  a  revival 
meeting  among  the  United  Brethren  in  Fair- 
field Co.,  0.,  I  became  again  powerfully  con- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     339 

victed.  And  having  an  impression  that  this 
would  be  my  last  call,  I  resolved  to  com- 
mence seeking  for  life,  and  to  leave  no  means 
unemployed.  I  joined  the  United  Brethren 
church,  as  a  seeker,  and  a  little  over  three 
months  after,  obtained  a  clear  and  satisfac- 
tory evidence  of  my  acceptance  with  God. 
This  occurred  on  the  evening  of  the  28th  of 
May,  in  the  house  of  Jacob  Bullenback. 

"A  short  time  after  this  I  felt  that  I  needed 
a  more  thorough  renovation  of  spirit.  At 
times  I  felt  the  remains  of  shame,  pride,  un- 
belief, and  many  forms  of  selfishness  in  my 
heart,  which  pained  me  exceedingly.  About 
this  time  the  writings  of  Wesley,  Fletcher, 
Clarke,  and  Watson,  and  the  biographies  of 
some  of  the  early  Wesleyan  preachers,  fell 
into  my  hands.  These  in  the  providence  of 
Grod  were  made  a  great  blessing  to  me.  I 
became  satisfied  that  there  was  for  me,  for 
all,  a  more  complete  salvation  than  that  gen- 
erally possessed,  and  began  in  earnest  to  seek 
it.  I  sought  help  from  older  brethren;  but 
alas,  nearly  all  with  whom  I  conversed  dis- 
couraged me.  I  still  contended  for  the  doc- 
trine, and  sought  the  blessing  by  reading, 
prayer,  and  fasting,  and  by  efibrts  to  conse- 
crate myself  to   God.     I  found  by  searching 


340  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  Scriptures,  that  the  commands,  provis- 
ions, promises  and  inspired  prayers,  all  com- 
bined to  hold  forth  a  full  salvation — such  a 
salvation  as  I  did  not  possess;  and  hence  I 
became  more  and  more  confirmed  in  the  con- 
viction that  it  was  my  duty  and  privilege  to 
attain  to  such  a  state,  though  few  among  my 
immediate  associates  sympathized  with  me. 
Thus  I  continued  till  the  year  1843,  when  I 
had  for  a  colleague  Bro.  Jesse  Wilson,  who 
was  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrine,  having 
once  enjoyed  the  blessing.  We  both  com- 
menced anew  to  seek  definitely  for  it,  and 
preached  it  as  clearl}^  as  we  could  without 
enjoying  it.  And  although  we  failed,  that 
year,  to  obtain  it  ourselves,  yet  a  number  of 
the  members  on  the  circuit  did  enter  the 
glorious  rest,  some  of  whom  witnessed  a  good 
profession  before  many  witnesses  till  called 
home  to  be  with  Jesus.  Bro.  Wilson  em- 
braced the  blessing  on  Christmas  day  1844 
— just  eight  days  before  I  was  enabled  to 
claim  it — and  was  in  a  few  weeks  taken  up 
to  glory. 

"The  following  are  some  of  the  particulars 
of  my  experience  concerning  the  reception  of 
the  Spirit's  witness.  When  I  was  placed  on 
the  Circleville  station,  having  always  before 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     341 

traveled  large  circuits,  I  thought  this  year 
I  would  have  time  to  read  and  pray  more, 
and  must  obtain  the  victory  my  soul  longed 
for.  I  accordingly  sought  it  most  earnestly, 
day  and  night,  in  public  and  private.  But 
the  more  earnestly  I  sought,  the  farther  I 
seemed  from  the  object  of  my  pursuit.  My 
heart  seemed  full  of  all  manner  of  evil,  al- 
though I  was  generally  greatly  blest  in  preach- 
ing, and  my  outward  life  was  aa  regular 
as  ever  it  was  before  or  since.  I  had  meet- 
ings appointed  especially  to  seek  for  holiness, 
and  many  of  the  members  sympathized  with 
me,  and  attended  the  meetings. 

"On  the  second  of  January,  1845,  having  an 
appointment  a  few  miles  in  the  country,  I 
started  about  sundown,  exceedingly  oppressed 
with  a  sense  of  my  unworthiness  and  unho- 
liness.  While  reflecting  upon  how  poorly 
qualified  I  was  with  such  an  unholy  heart,  to 
preach  a  pure  gospel  to  others,  it  was  sug- 
ge-sted : — 

"  'You  have  been  seeking  a  clean  heart  for 
ten  years,  and  you  are  further  from  it  now 
than  ever  before.  You  had  better  now  give 
it  up,  and  no  longer  make  a  fool  of  yourself 
and  expose  yourself  to  persecution.  Why  not 
live  peaceably  as  most  other  Christians  live?' 


342  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

"I  answered,  'God  says,  Be  ye  hohj,  and  it 
is  plainly  my  duty  to  seek  it  and  obtain  it, 
whether  others  do  or  not.' 

"The  next  suggestion  was — for  by  this  time 
the  thoughts  presented  to  my  mind  occupied 
my  entire  attention,  as  much  so  as  if  I  had 
heard  an  audible  voice, — 'If  it  is  by  faith, 
you  may  have  it  now  before  you  preach,'  and 
I  began  to  pray.  In  an  instant  these  words 
were  presented  to  my  mind  as  never  before; 
'Ask,  and  receive.'  'Why,  Lord,'  said  I,  'I 
have  asked  a  thousand  times.'  'True,'  said 
the  same  inward  voice,  'You  asked,  but  you 
have  not  received  or  taken  the  offered  bless- 
ing.' I  at  once  saw  the  difficulty.  At  that 
instant  a  revelation  was  given  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  faith  which  was  worth  more  to  me 
than  all  the  theology  I  ever  read  upon  it. 
I  remembered  many  a  time  in  my  former 
history  when  the  blessing  was  in  reach — I 
could,  as  it  were,  see  it,  and  almost  say,  it  is 
mine.  But  this  receiving  faith  was  wanting. 
I  saw  the  blessing  held  out,  and  with  melt- 
ing heart  and  tearful  eyes,  said,  'Lord,  I  do 
receive — /  am  thine  and  thou  art  mine!''  It 
was  enough — my  heart  was  filled  with  love, 
and  I  said  'Grlory  to  God!'  That  was  a  great 
turning  point  in   my  religious   life.      I   had 


UXITED    BRETHREN     IX    CHRIST.    343 

from  that  hour  a  depth  of  peace,  a  constancy  of 
faith,  and  a  clearness  of  views  of  Divine  Prov- 
idence never  before  enjoyed.  Whatever  in- 
consistences may  have  marked  my  life  since 
that  time,  I  am  convinced  that  the  above  was 
a  real  and  Scriptural  experience.  And  my 
only  regret  now  is,  after  nearly  sixteen  years, 
that  I  have  not  made  more  proficiency  in  it, 
and  lived  it  out  more  perfectly.  But  to-day 
I  stand  upon  the  same  platform,  and  the 
merciful  Savior  who  saved  me  then,  kindly 
pardons  "  all  past  delinquencies,  and  is  still 
the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion 
for  ever.     Grlory  to  Ms  holy  name^ 

After  Mr.  Edwards  had  entered  into  pos- 
session of  the  higher  life,  he  became  a  very 
zealous  and  successful  teacher  of  the  doctrine. 
]Mr.  Han  by,  then  editor  of  the  organ  of  the 
church,  and  about  thirty  of  the  most  efficient 
preachers,  together  with  a  large  number  of 
the  laymen^  of  the  Scioto  conference,  made  a 
public  profession  of  the  blessing;  and  a  few 
months  after  Mr.  Edwards  experienced  the 
blessing,  he  was  elected  editor  of  the  Religious 
Telescope.  In  this  position  he  had  the  ear 
of  the  whole  church;  and  to  the  advocacy  of 
the  doctrine  of  entire  sanctitication,  as  a  dis- 
tinct blessing,  he  brought  all  the  ardor  which 


344  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  firm  faith,  and  a  fresli  experience  can  give. 

Througli  this  means  the  revival  spread 
into  other  conferences,  and  in  many  places 
preachers  and  people  became  interested  in 
the  subject,  and  witnesses  were  raised  up. 
Kot  content  with  the  columns  of  the  church 
paper,  Mr.  Edwards,  in  1846,  prepared  and 
published  a  volume  of  256  pages,  entitled 
"The  Perfect  Christian;  or,  a  Condensed 
View  of  Bible  Holiness  as  taught  in  the 
Scriptures,"  a  work  which,  although  very 
poorly  printed,  had  quite  an  extensive  sale. 

JS'umerous  objections  were  raised  to  the  views 
urged  by  Mr.  Edwards.  Many  contended  that 
the  new  birth  effects  a  complete  purification 
of  the  heart;  and  that  (jrowtli  only  is  required 
subsequent  to  that  change.  Some  argued  that 
entire  sanctification  is  a  gradual  work,  and 
that  it  is  seldom,  if  ever,  consummated  until 
the  close  of  life.  Others,  agreeing  that  the 
high  state  of  grace  described  as  entire  sanc- 
tification might  be  obtained,  looked  with  dis- 
favor upon  its  profession. 

The  general  influence  of  the  movement 
was  highly  beneficial.  As  all  agreed  that 
conversion  was  only  the  commencement  of  the 
Christian  life, — that  there  were  within  the 
Christian's   reach   very  high   attainments    in 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     345 

holiness — many  who  disagreed  with  Mr.  E. 
on  some  minor  points,  were  excited  by  the 
discussion  to  take  higher  ground.  The  in- 
ward life  was  more  assiduously  cultiA^ated; 
and  an  idea,  not  new,  but  brought  out  with 
remarkable  distinctness  in  this  discussion, 
became  fixed  in  the  faith  and  in  the  phrase- 
ology of  the  church, — we  mean  the  idea  of 
immediate  and  entire  consecration  to  God. 

And  the  time  when  especial  prominence 
was  given  to  this  idea  was  opportune.  A 
church  wdiich  had  been  long  nurtured,  and 
carefully  preserved  from  the  popular  sins  of 
the  times,  was  about  commencing  an  unwont- 
ed expansion;  her  numbers  were  soon  to  be 
doubled  and  trebled ;  and  she  was  to  assume 
new  and  enlarged  responsibilities,  and  her 
principles — her  faithfulness  to  the  truth — 
were  to   be   thoroughly  tested. 


346  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

THE  CHURCH  IX  IOWA — BURNS,  TROUP,  SELLERS, 
EVERHART,    AND   BYRD — DES    MOINES,  MO. 

Iowa,  a  part  of  the  vast  tract  of  country 
purchased  from  France  in  1803,  under  the 
general  name  of  Louisiana,  was  separated 
from  AV^isconsin,  and  organized  as  a  territory 
in  1838.  Two  years  before  the  organization 
of  the  territory  of  Iowa,  John  Burns,  a 
faithful  local  minister  of  the  United  Brethren 
church,  crossed  the  Mississippi,  and  settled 
in  Lee  Co.,  Iowa.  About  the  same  time 
Christian  Troup,  a  minister  of  the  Wabash 
conference,  a  good  and  true  man,  settled  in 
Linn  county,  where  he  sowed  imperishable 
seed.  These  two  venerable  ministers  were, 
so  far  as  we  know,  the  pioneer  missionaries 
of  the  United  Brethren  church,  west  of  the 
Mississippi  They  both  commenced  to  preach, 
opening  and  sustaining  regular  appointments, 
and  supjoorting  themselves  with,  the  labor  of 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.   347 

their    own    hands.     They   did   not,    however, 
organize  any  societies  immediately. 

In  1840  Mr.  Ryan,  a  layman,  settled  in 
Henry  county.  He  found  himself  without 
the  society  of  United  Brethren,  and  with- 
out religious  society  of  any  kind.  Swearing, 
drinking,  and  dancing,  were  the  prevalent  sins 
of  the  country  about  him.  Maintaining  his 
integrity,  he  longed  for  the  establishment  of 
religious  worship,  and  was  moved,  as  he  be- 
lieved, by  the  Spirit,  to  preach.  At  length 
a  disaffected  Mormon  visited  the  neighborhood 
and  preached.  Mr.  Ryan  attended;  and  while 
there  he  met  a  father  Edgington,  who  stated 
that  he  had  been  in  Iowa  three  or  four  years, 
and  that  before  that  dsij  he  had  not  had  an 
opportunity  of  attending  public  worship.  "He 
asked  me,"  says  Mr.  Ryan,  "if  1  belonged  to 
llinkles'  (the  semi-Mormon)  church?  I  re- 
plied, I  belong  to  the  United  Erethrcn. 
He  clapped  his  hands,  and  thanked  Gud 
that  he  had  found  a  United  Brethren  in 
Iowa!  'They  had,'  he  said,  ' preached  at  his 
house  in  Ohio;'  and  he  invited  me  to  establish 
an  appointment  at  his  house  in  Iowa."  The 
appointment  was  made,  and  on  the  fourth 
Sunday  in  October,  1841,  the  nucleus  of  a 
class  was  formed.      "I   opened  the  doors  of 


348  HISTORY    OF    THE 

the  church,"  writes  Mr.  R.,  "and  father  and 
mother  Edgington  gave  me  their  hands  as 
members  of  the  church;  and  there  we  cov- 
enanted with  God  to  pray  for  a  revival  of 
religion,  and  that  the  Lord  would  send  us 
United  Brethren  preachers."  At  the  next 
appointment  three  others  joined;  and  soon 
after  four  others.  The  work  of  the  Lord 
now  broke  out  in  a  powerful  manner;  and 
some  of  the  most  hardened  sinners  in  father 
Edgington's  neighborhood  were  converted. 
Sometimes  the  meeting  continued  until  three 
in  the  morning.  During  this  first  revival  in 
our  church  in  Iowa,  nine  were  received  into 
the  church;  and  among  the  number  was  the 
fiddler,  well  known  as  the  leader  of  the  rude 
dances  so  common  and  so  pernicious  in  fron- 
tier life.  Hunting,  and  shooting,  and  card- 
playing  on  Sundays  now  ceased  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, and  the  people  were  drawn  to  the 
house  of  the  Lord — then,  it  is  true,  a  fron- 
tier cabin.  Lewis  Hoffman  was  elected  leader 
of  the  class.  In  the  month  of  March,  1842, 
the  members  of  this  class,  hearing  of  Chris- 
tian Troup  for  the  first  time,  sent  for  him 
to  "come  over  and  help  them."  He  j)romptly 
responded  to  the  call;  visited  them  on  the 
1st  of  April;  remained  a  week;  received  six 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.   349 

more  members  into  the  church;  which  num- 
ber, added  to  the  twenty-eight  received  by 
Mr.  Ryan,  made  thirty-four,  in  all.  He  also 
ratified,  as  a  regular  minister  of  the  church, 
what  had  been  done.  This,  it  appears,  was 
the  first  class  of  United  Brethren  organized 
in  Iowa.  Mr.  Troup  also  gave  Mr.  Ryan 
a  permit  to  preach,  and  appointed  a  quar- 
terly meeting,  to  be  held  ^lay  10th,  1842, 
at   Yankee  Grrove,  Linn  county. 

In  April,  1839,  A.  A.  Sellers,  a  native 
of  Virginia,  who  had  for  some  time  resided 
in  Indiana  and  Illinois,  settled  in  Lee  Co., 
Iowa.  He  had  not  received  license  to  preach, 
but  believed  it  to  be  his  duty  to  labor  as 
a  minister  in  the  vine^^ard;  and  being  bold, 
zealous,  and  enterprising,  and  of  ardent  tem- 
perament, he  became  a  valuable  co-laborer  of 
Mr.  Burns.  Uniting  their  labors,  they  en- 
larged the  field  opened  by  Mr.  Burns,  and 
commenced  holding  two-day  meetings  in  va- 
rious places ;  in  Lee  and  Henry  counties  prin- 
cipally. 

In  1841  John  Everhart,  a  devoted  serv- 
ant of  Grod,  was  transferred  from  the  In- 
diana to  the  Wabash  conference;  and  as  that 
conference  then  extended  westward  to  the 
setting  sun,  Mr.  E.  selected  the  newly-opened 


350  HISTORY    OF    THE  ^ 

territory  of  Iowa  as  his  field  of  missionary 
toil.  He  went  to  his  mission,  as  many  of 
our  pioneers  have  gone,  without  one  cent  of 
missionary  money  in  his  pocket,  and  with 
little  hope  of  obtaining  any.  But  he  had 
a  mind  to  work,  although  he  was  obliged 
to  earn  his  bread  by  breaking  the  prairies. 
In  1842  Mr.  Burns,  having  an  appointment 
at  Montrose,  in  Lee  county,  met  Mr.  Ever- 
hart  for  the  first  time.  They  united  their 
labors  at  Montrose,  where  they  formed  a  so- 
ciety. 

In  1842  F.  E.  S.  Byrd,  of  the  Scioto  con- 
ference,  emigrated  to  the  new  territory,  and 
settled  in  Henry  county.  He  set  about  the 
work  of  the  Lord  immediately,  and  on  the 
24th  of  the  same  month  of  his  arrival,  or- 
ganized the  second  class,  so  far  as  we  know, 
of  the  United  Brethren  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi.* 

Early  in  the  summer  Mr.  Byrd,  accom- 
panied by  two  other  Brethren,  got  into  a 
wagon,  and  started  out  in  pursuit  of  some 
United  Brethren  of  whom   they  had   heard; 

*  If  we  should  regard  the  organization  at  father  Edgington's  by 
Mr.  Ryan,  who  was  without  license  as  a  minister,  as  irregular,  then 
the  class  organized  by  Mr.  Byrd  must  be  considered  the  first  regu- 
lar class  in  Iowa.  The  class  at  .Mr.  IJyrd's  v>  ,is  regularly  incorpo- 
rated August  21st,  1842. 


UNITED    BKETHREN    I^T    CHEIST.     351 

and  after  several  days  travel,  they  readied 
father  Edgington's.  They  there  learned  what 
had  been  done  by  Bros.  Ryan  and  Troup, 
Mr.  Byrd  held  a  meeting  at  father  Edging- 
ton's,  of  four  day's  continuance,  baptized  nine 
persons,  in  the  clear  waters  of  Cedar  river, 
and  received  some  twenty  members  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  church. 

Soon  after  Bros,  Burns  and  Sellers  met  at 
Montrose,  they  agreed  together  to  go  out  and 
find  a  United  Brethren  minister  of  whom 
they  had  heard  in  Henry  county.  After  a 
day's  travel  over  the  interminable  meadows 
of  Iowa,  and  just  as  the  sun  was  going  down 
into  a  sea  of  grass,  they  obtained  the  first 
distinct  information  of  him.  After  seven 
miles  of  travel  next  morning,  they  reached  Mr. 
Byrd's  house,  where  a  meeting  had  been  ap- 
pointed. "Here  w^e  had,"  writes  Mr.  Sellers, 
"a  glorious  meeting.  The  Holy  Ghost  came 
down  and  filled  the  place." 

The  quarterly  meeting  appointed  by  Mr. 
Troup  was  held  May  10th,  1842,  and  was 
attended  by  Troup,  Byrd,  Ryan,  Hoftman, 
Edgington,  and  others.  It  was  an  excellent 
meeting,  and  the  first  quarterly  meeting  held 
by  the  United  Brethren  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi.    At  this  meeting  Ira  B.  Ryan  received 


352  HISTORY    OF    THE 

license  to  prcacli.  A  second  and  more  im- 
portant  meeting  was  held  in  Henry  county, 
Sept.  lOth,  1842.  At  this  meeting  all  the 
preachers  and  exhorters  in  the  territory  met 
for  the  first  time.  Christian  Troup  was  elect- 
ed presiding  elder.  Each  preacher  and  ex- 
horter  gave  an  account  of  himself  and  his 
labors.  Several  persons  vrere  licensed  to 
preach,  and  among  the  number  A.  A.  Sel- 
lers, who  had  been  laboring  for  some  time 
without  a  formal  license.  Several  also  were 
licensed  to  exhort.  The  sacraments, — bap- 
tism and  the  Lord's  supper, — were  admin- 
istered; and  the  ]>ioneer  disciples,  following 
literally  the  Lord's  example,  washed  each 
others  feet.  They  had  a  joyful  time  together. 
"I  never  shall  forget,"  writes  Mr.  Sellers, 
"the  sermon  I  heard  from  Mr.  Everhart  on 
this  occasion.  It  seemed  as  if,  while  he  was 
preaching,  the  dew  of  heaven  descended  and 
was  distilled  into  every  heart.  At  length  the 
feeling  became  so  overpowering  that  Mr. 
Troup  could  restrain  himself  no  longer;  and, 
springing  to  his  feet,  he  clasped  the  preacher 
in  his  arms,  and  shouted  Grlory,  with  a  loud 
voice.  Truly  this  was  like  unto  one  of  the 
days  of  the  Son  of  ]\Ian."  After  agreeing 
to  hold    an    annual   or   business   meeting   on 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     353 

the  1st  of  March,  1843,  and  arranging  some 
other  matters  in  relation  to  co-operation  at 
large  meetings,  the  brethren  se2:>arated,  and 
each  went  joyfully  to  his  prairie  home  and 
to  his  toil. 

John  Everhart  now  commenced  his  itin- 
erant labors  systematically,  embracing  in  his 
wide  field  nearly  the  whole  of  the  territory  oc- 
cupied by  the  church  in  southern  Iowa,  Many 
precious  revivals  of  religion  occurred  during 
the  winter,  under  his  labors.  The  winter  was 
extremely  cold,  and  an  itinerant  at  that  day, 
who  had  to  cross  the  wide  j)rairies  between 
the  sparse  settlements  in  the  groves,  ran 
many  risks  of  perishing.     To  illustrate: 

The  time  for  the  conference  proposed  at 
the  second  quarterly  meeting  being  at  hand, 
Bros.  Everhart,  Sellers,  and  Collins,  set  out 
for  the  meeting.  The  reader  must  have  Mr. 
Sellers'  own  statement  of  the  journey, 

"The  weather  was  extremely  cold.  Brother 
Everhart  got  his  nose  and  face  badly  frozen. 
The  night  was  approaching,  and  we  called 
at  a  house  to  stay  for  the  night;  but  we 
could  not  gain  admittance.  At  a  second  house 
we  shared  the  same  fate,  but  were  informed 
that  at  a  brick  house  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  groY^,  fifteen   miles   distant,  we  could 

Vol.  U.— 23. 


354  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

probably  stay.  Our  hearts  began  to  quail. 
Bro.  Everbart  proposed  to  return  to  the 
house,  procure  an  ax  and  some  fire,  and 
camp  in  the  grove.  I  told  him  we  would 
perish  if  we  attempted  it.  This  was  the 
time  of  the  great  comet  between  the  earth 
and  sun,  and  of  the  coldest  weather  ever 
known  in  Iowa.  After  holding  a  short  coun- 
cil, we  resolved  to  push  across  the  prairie. 
Letting  our  horses  out  at  full  speed,  we  made 
good  time,  and  just  as  the  sun  went  down 
we  reached  the  brick  house.  Almost  perished, 
we  knocked  at  the  door  with  anxious  hearts. 
Who  can  tell  our  joy  when  we  received  a 
cordial  welcome  from  a  good  Baptist  brother 
named  William  Miller,  who  entertained  us 
as  if  we  had  been  angels,  free  of  charge. 
Heaven  will  reward  him." 

The  conference  convened  on  the  1st  of 
March,  the  time  previously  agreed  upon. 
The  preachers  present  were  Christian  Troup, 
John  Everhart,  Ira  B.  Ryan,  F.  R.  S.  Byrd, 
A.  A.  Sellers,  John  Burns,  and  J.  Kephart, 
seven  in  all.  Classes  reported,  13;  mem- 
bers organized  into  class,  194.  Some  mem- 
bers scattered  abroad  and  not  reported  in 
the  above.  Finding  themselves  hundreds  of 
miles  from  the  nearest  conference,   the  Wa- 


UTflTED    BEETHREN    IX    CHRIST.    355 

bash,  to  which  they  properly  belonged,  and 
in  circumstances  which  demanded  well  organ- 
ized effort,  they  wisely  entered  into  a  con- 
ference, for  the  transaction  of  annual  confer- 
ence business.  Preachers  were  examined,  pre- 
siding elders  elected,  fields  of  labor  laid  off 
and  supplied  with  laborers,  and  other  annual 
conference  business  was  attended  to.  Byrd 
was  elected  presiding  elder  for  the  north 
disti^ict,  Troup  for  the  south,  and  Everhart 
continued  to  labor  as  a  general  missionary, 
as  he  had  been  instructed  to  do  by  the  Wa- 
bash conference. 

Early  in  the  autumn  following  the  confer- 
ence, the  presiding  elder  in  the  Wabash 
conference  visited  the  territory,  and  held  a 
quarterly  meeting  at  Columbus  City.  At  this 
meeting  the  work  was  divided  into  three  dis- 
tricts, over  which  were  placed  as  presiding 
elders,  J.  Peters,  J.  Lindsay,  and  John  Ever- 
hart ;  but  as  Peters  and  Lindsay  both  soon 
left  the  work,  J.  Everhart  was  once  more 
required  to  travel  over  the  entire  field  for 
another  winter. 

The  annual  business  meeting,  or  conference, 
of  March  waked  up  a  good  deal  of  interest 
in  the  Wabash  conference ;  and  the}^  passed  a 
resolution  requesting  bishop  Henry  Kumler,  jr. 


366  HISTORY    OF    THE 

and  John  Denham,  to  visit  the  territory,  and 
organize  a  conference,  to  be  known  as  the 
"Wabash  branch  conference  of  Iowa.  Accord- 
ingly, May  19th,  1844,  'the  contemplated 
conference  convened  at  Columbus  City.  Those 
recognized  as  regular  conference  members, 
and  as  constituting  the  conference  at  its  open- 
ing, were  Kumler,  Denham,  Everhart,  and 
Burns.  Two  other  persons  were  received  on 
transfer,  after  which  the  other  ministers  of 
the  territory,  who  had  been  licensed  at  the 
informal  quarterly  and  annual  conferences, 
Sellers,  R3^an,  Byrd,  etc.,  were  received  into 
the  conference.  This  was  perhaps  an  unneces- 
sary formality,  because  the  Wabash  confer- 
ence could  only  by  an  informality,  order  the 
holding  of  a  branch  session  in  Iowa.  How- 
ever, it  was  done,  and,  doubtless,  well  done. 
All  the  properly-authorized  preachers  of  the 
territory  were  present  at  this  conference,  and 
their  names  stand  thus:  J.  Everhart,  J.  Burns, 
A.  A.  Sellers,  F.  R.  S.  Byrd,  J.  B.  Ryan,  C. 
Troup,  J.  Denham,  D.  Shaifer,  M.  Garrison, 
D.  C.  Barrows,  Gr.  S.  Clingan.  The  work  was 
divided  into  three  general  missionary  districts 
— the  southern  was  located  between  the  Des 
Moines  and  Skunk  rivers;  the  middle,  be- 
tween the  Skunk  and  Iowa  rivers;  and  the 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     357 

north,  north  of  the  Iowa  river.  Christian 
Troup  and  John  Everhart  were  again  elected 
presiding  elders. 

Thus  did  the  work  of  the  Lord,  under  the 
labors  of  United  Brethren  pioneers,  take  its 
rise  in  the  territory  of  Iowa.  Commencing 
with  the  settlement  of  the  country,  the  church 
had  a  healthy  and  vigorous  growth.  The 
work  was  extended  northward  to  the  Min- 
nesota line,  and  southward  into  Missouri.  In 
1853  the  conference  was  divided;  the  northern 
portion  retaining  the  old  name,  Iowa,  and 
and  the  southern  taking  the  name  of  the 
beautiful  river,  Des  Moines,  which  passes 
through  it;  and  in  1857  the  Missouri  confer- 
ence was  set  off.  The  organization  of  the  last- 
named  conference,  however,  did  not  take  place 
until  1859.  It  has  since  had  a  vigorous 
growth.  We  have  now  in  Iowa,  two  vigor- 
ous conferences,  a  good  college,  scores  of  effi- 
cient ministers,  and  thousands  of  excellent 
members. 


358  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

TRIAL  FOR  THE  OTTERBEIN  CHURCH  PROPER- 
TY—  NINTH  GENERAL  CONFERENCE — STATIS- 
TICS. 

In  the  year  1846  the  great  trial  for  the 
Otterbein  church  property  in  Baltimore,  ter- 
minated. 

"Be  it  remembered,"  we  quote  from  Mr. 
Spayth,  who  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  whole  case,  "that  in  the  year  1774,  Wil- 
liam Otterbein  assumed  the  pastoral  charge 
of  a  congregation,  in  Baltimore,  which  had 
withdrawn  from  the  German  Reformed  church ; 
but  the  long-continued  war  which  commenced 
soon  after,  dispersed  the  greater  number  of 
the  members.  On  the  return  of  j^eace,  by 
the  gathering  together  of  former  members, 
and  by  the  accession  of  a  considertible  num- 
ber of  converts  to  Christ,  the  society  found 
itself  sufficiently  established  to  form  a  church 
constitution,  and  to  adopt  discijolinary  rules 
for  its  own  government;  and  on  the  1st  day 
of  January,  1785,  they  drew  up   and  signed 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN     CHRIST.   359 

the  instrument  found  in  the  first  volume  of 
this  work.* 

"When  Otterbein  was  absent  from  Balti- 
more, during  the  quarter  of  a  century  which 
followed,  his  pulpit  was  supplied  by  his 
brethren,  the  United  Brethren  preachers, — 
but  at  no  time  by  any  preacher  of  the  Ger- 
man Reformed  church.  And  .  on  the  demise 
of  Mr.  Otterbein,  this  congregation  asked  to 
be  suj^plied,  and  were  regularly  supplied,  by 
pastors  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
with  whom  they  had  been  so  long  identified, 
and  to  whom  they  were  bound  by  their 
church  constitution.f 

"In  the  year  1840,  twenty-seven  years  after 
the  departure  of  Mr.  Otterbein,  J.  J.  Mayer, 
Jacob  Bier,  and  L.  Radclif,  filed  a  petition 
in  the  Baltimore  County  Court,  stating  that 
Otterbein  church  ought  to  be  a  German  Re- 
formed church;  that  since  the  death  of  Mr. 
Otterbein  the  conference  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  had  exercised  the  pastoral  care 
of  said  church,  and  that  Lewis  Wise,  G. 
Ivraft,  J.  Messersmith,  and  George  Sickle, 
claim  to  be  elders;  George  Rosegaw,  E. 
Weigand,  C.  Kline,  and  F.  Kraft,  trustees, 
and  John  Russel  pastor  of  said  church.     The 

»  Page  231 .  t  Item  14,  page  241. 


360  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

petitioners  therefore  pray  that  to  these  offi- 
cial members  may  be  issued  a  writ  of  man- 
damus, .  .  .  that  they  be  required  to  order 
an  election  of  a  pastor  to  be  had  by  said 
church,  and  that  the  pastor  so  chosen  shall 
be  subject  to  the  usages  and  government  of 
the  German  Reformed  church,"  etc.,  etc. 

"The  petition  was  presented  to  the  Court 
on  the  27th  day  of  April  1840^  and  the 
Court  ordered  that  the  elders,  trustees,  and 
minister  of  said  church,  on  Monday,  May 
11th  following,  appear  and  show  cause  Avhy 
the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  should  not  be 
granted.  The  resj^ondents  and  petitioners 
both  appeared,  and  the  Court,  after  hearing 
the  case,  gave  judgment,  in  strong  and  de- 
cided terms,  in  favor  of  the  defendants,  leav- 
ing the  petitioners  to  pay  the  costs  of  the 
suit."     Thus  ended  the  first  trial. 

Two  years  subsequently  the  Otterbein 
church  was  under  the  necessity  of  expelling 
some  members,  who  were  also  members  of 
the  vestry.  These  expelled  members  drew 
after  them,  through  sympathy,  some  other 
official  members.  The  vacancies  thus  created, 
were  filled  in  strict  accordance  with  the  con- 
stitution of  the  congregation.  Here  the  matter 
should  have  rested;  but  the  expelled  and  seced- 


UNITED    BRETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.     361 

ing  members  united  together,  and  assumed 
to  be  the  vestry  of  the  Otterbein  church !  That 
they  might  carry  out  their  purposes,  they 
entered  into  a  conspiracy  with  Rev.  Samuel 
Gutelius,  a  minister  of  the  German  Reformed 
church,  who,  under  their  assumed  authority, 
forced  his  way,  on  the  holy  Sabbath  day, 
into  the  pulpit,  with  intent  to  lay  the  found- 
ations for  another  suit  at  law.  The  con- 
spiracy was  so  far  successful  as  to  obtain 
an  order  that  the  church  should  be  closed 
until  the  matter  in  dispute  could  be  adju- 
dicated by  the  Court.  Thus,  by  the  agency 
of  this  minister  of  the  German  Reformed 
church,  the  pious  and  humble  German  con- 
gregation of  United  Brethren  in  Baltimore 
were  for  a  time,  and  a  long  time  it  proved, 
locked  out  of  their  own  house  of  worship. 

The  plaintiffs,  hoping  perhaps  that  the 
congregation  might  be  scattered,  were  in  no 
haste  for  trial;  and,  on  various  pretexts,  the 
cause  was  delayed  from  1842  to  1846,  when 
it  finally  came  up  for  a  hearing  before  Judge 
J.  C.  Legrant.  The  plaintiffs,  and  their  wil- 
ling pastor,  Mr.  Gutelius,  aided  by  the  most 
subtle  legal  ability,  left  no  means  untried  to 
divert  the  Otterbein  property  from  its  proper 
owners.     But  they  failed.     The  Court,   after 


362  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  patient  hearing,  gave  judgment  in  favor 
of  the   defendants. 

This  second  unsuccessful  attempt  of  mem- 
bers of  the  German  Reformed  church,  to 
deprive  the  United  Brethren  congregation 
of  their  house  of  worship, — a  house  held  dear 
to  them  from  its  intimate  association  with 
the  rise  of  the  church  in  the  United  States, 
and  its  most  venerable  father, — deserves  the 
severest  censure. 

During  the  four  years  through  which  the 
case  was  kept  in  Court,  the  congregation, 
with  its  devoted  pastor,  Jacob  Erb,  kept 
together  as  well  as  they  could,  and  worshij^ed 
wherever  opportunity  offered.  Although  suc- 
cessful in  both  suits,  yet  attorney's  fees  and 
other  necessary  expenses,  amounted  to  about 
13,000. 

At  length  the  happy  Sabbath  came  when 
the  pastor  and  his  congregation  were  again 
invited  by  the  long  silenced  bells  to  assem- 
ble in  their  venerable  house  of  worship. 
The  occasion  is  well  described  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  congregation,*  in  a  letter  to  the 
Religious  Telescope:  "On  Wednesday,  Nov. 
18th,"  he  writes,  "we  opened  the  long  shut 
doors  of  our  church  once  more.     The  sisters 

*  Brother  G.  H.  Pagels. 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.      363 

and  some  of  the  brethren,  were  soon  on 
the  spot,  cleaning,  scouring,  and  preparing 
for  divine  service  on  the  Sabbath.  On  Sun- 
day morning  the  long  silenced  bells  began 
to  ring,  inviting  friend  and  foe,  as  in  days 
gone  by,  to  come  to  the  house  of  the  Lord; 
and,  as  far  as  the  sound  of  those  bells  could 
be  heard,  you  could  see  old  and  young, 
white  and  colored,  standing  in  the  doors,  or 
looking  out  of  the  windows,  gazing  at  the 
steeple  of  Otterbein's  church.  Wherever  you 
met  a  brother  or  sister,  you  could  see  the 
tears  of  gratitude  rolling  down  their  cheeks, 
and  hear  them  giving  utterance  to  their  feel- 
ings in  expressions  like  these:  'Thank  the 
Lord.  The  God  whom  our  fathers  in  Christ 
worshiped,  has  turned  our  captivity;  he  has 
inclined  his  ear,  and  heard  our  prayer.  He 
has  turned  our  mourning  into  joy.  Halle- 
lujah!'" 

"  The  morning  hour  was  improved  by  Bro. 
Erb,  from  Ps.  50:  14,  15.  After  the  ser- 
mon, bishop  Russel  delivered  a  short  ex- 
hortation. I  never  before  witnessed  such  an 
occasion.  Smiles  of  joy  on  every  countenance 
were  mingled  with  tears  from  every  eye. 
Then  each  member  of  the  church  humbling 
himself  before  Him  who  is  mighty  to  save, 


364  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

implored  the  Lord  to  forgive  our  enemies, 
and  give  them  to  see  that  they  that  fight 
against  God's  people,  are  warring  against 
the  holy  one  of  Israel." 

Since  1846  the  Otterbein  congregation  has 
enjoyed  peaceable  possession  of  their  vene- 
rable church;  and  they  have  been  able  to 
aid  liberally  in  the  erection  of  a  house  of 
worship  for  an  English  congregation.  It  is 
not  likely  that  they  will  ever  again  be  mo- 
lested. 

The  ninth  general  conference  met  in  Cir- 
cleville,  0.,  May  12th,  1845.  Three  of  the 
superintendents,  H.  Kumler,  sen.,  John  Coons, 
and  H.  Kumler,  jun.,  were  present.  The 
conference  districts  were  represented  as  fol- 
lows: Virgmia,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  J.  Mark- 
wood,  and  J.  Bachtel;  Pemisylvania,  J.  Rus- 
sel;  AUeghamj,  J.  R.  Sitman,  J.  Hitter,  and 
John  Rider;  Muskingum,  A.  Biddle,  J.  Mc- 
Gaw,  and  W.  W.  Simpkins;  Wabash,  John 
Hoobler,  Josiah  Davis,  and  John  Denham; 
ticioto,  J.  Montgomery,  E.  Vandemark,  and 
M.  Ambrose;  Sandusky,  H.  G.  Spayth,  Geo. 
Hiskey,  and  J.  Brown;  Miami,  Geo.  Bone- 
brake,  John  Crider,  and  F.  Whitcom;  In- 
diana, D.  Bonebrake  and  J.  A.  Ball.  In 
all  nine  conference  districts,  then  comprising 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    365 

the  whole  church,  were  represented  by  twenty- 
four  delegates.  Such  of  the  acts  of  this  con- 
ference as  are  of  general  interest,  will  be 
noticed  briefly  in  their  order. 

1.  It  was  decided  that  the  general  confer- 
ence ca7i  not  change  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
This  decision  is  based  upon  the  plain  letter 
of  the  Constitution  itself;  (Art.  II.  Sec.  4,) 
and  it  is  justified  by  the  consideration  that 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  together  with  the 
Constitution  with  a  restrictive  rule,  (Art.  II. 
Sec.  4,)  have  been  virtually,  if  not  formally, 
submitted  to  the  entire  membership  of  the 
church,  and  have  received  their  sanction.  But 
w^hile  it  is  a  fact  that  a  general  conference 
may  not  touch  a  letter  of  the  Confession  of 
Faith,  it  is  also  true  that  two- thirds  of  the 
members  of  the  church  may  alter  the  Con- 
stitution, and  also  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
The  general  conference  is  not  superior  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith  or  the  Constitution. 
These  instruments  embody  the  well  settled 
faith  and  polity  of  the  church,  and  the 
church  only  can  change  them.  The  funda- 
mental principle  is  here  laid  down,  that  the 
su^weme  earthly  authority  in  our  church  is  vested, 
not  in  the  ministry,  hut  in  the  whole  society. 

2.  Candidates  for  the  ministry  must  study.     It 


366  HISTORY    OF    THE 

was  decided  that  no  one  shall  be  admitted  into 
an  annual  conference,  as  a  candidate  for 
the  ministry,  who  does  not  apply  himself  dili- 
gently to  the  study  of  the  doctrine,  biogra- 
phy, geography,  history,  and  chronology  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures.  A  list  of  standard 
authors  were  named,  which  the  licentiates 
were  directed  to  read,  as  aids  in  their  Bib- 
lical  researches. 

3.  The  establishnent  of  an  institution  of  learn- 
ing by  the  annual  conferences  was  recommended. 
See  Chapter  XXIII.,  for  particulars. 

4.  Conferences  set  off.  East  Pennsylvania, 
Illinois,  St.  Joseph,  and  Iowa,  were  set  off, 
and  provision  was  made  for  a  division  of 
the  Indiana,  which  resulted  in  the  organiza- 
tion, in  1846,  of  the  White  River  confer- 
ence. 

5.  The  Telescope.  It  was  decided  that  the 
Religious  Telescope  should  be  issued  weekly. 

6.  Elections  and  appointments.  J).  Edwards 
was  elected  editor  of  the  Religious  Tele- 
scope; J.  Russel,  J.  J.  Glossbrenner,  and  W. 
Hanby,  bishops;  H.  G.  Spayth,  Church  His- 
torian; W.  Leist,  and  J.  and  Gr.  Dresback, 
Trustees  of  the  Printing  Establishment;  J. 
Russel,  President;  W.  Hanby,  J.  J.  Gloss- 
brenner,  Vice  Presidents;  J.  Dresback,  Treas- 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     367 

urer,  and  J.  Montgomery,  Secretary,  of  a  Mis- 
sionary Board- 
No  careful  enumeration  of  tlie  number  of 
members  in  the  church  had  been  made. 
The  number  of  ministers  and  circuits,  and 
the  increase  from  1840  to  1845,  are  given  by 
Mr.  Hanby,*  as  follows: — 

Conferences. 

Pennsylvania, 

Virginia,     -         -        - 

Alleghany, 

Muskingum, 

Sandusky,        ... 

Scioto, 

Miami,    .        -        .        - 

Indiana,     -        -        - 

Wabash, 

Total  for  1845,  - 
Total  for  1840,       - 

Increase  in  5  years,  -        194        90 

Here  we  have  an  increase  of  fifty  per  cent., 
in  five  years,  in  the  ministry,  and  one  hun- 
dred per  cent,  in  the  circuits. 

The  whole  membership  of  the  church  in 
1845,  allowing  200  members  to  each  field  of 
labor,  would  be  36,000. 

*  History  of  Uiiitod  Brethren  in  Christ,  p.  289. 


Preachers. 

Circuits. 

-    83 

21 

37 

8 

-    47 

15 

62 

23 

-    61 

13 

67 

20 

-    82 

22 

67 

19 

•    75 

33 

•  581 

180 

387 

90 

368  HISTORY   OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

EDUCATION  —  OTTERBEIN  UNIVERSITY  —  MOUNT 
PLEASANT  COLLEGE  —  HARTSVILLE  UNIVER- 
SITY— BLANDINSVILLE  SEMINARY — WESTERN 
COLLEGE — LEONI   INSTITUTE,    ETC.,    ETC. 

At  the  general  conference  which  met  in 
1845,  the  subject  of  collegiate  education  was  in- 
troduced, discussed,  and,  by  a  nearly  unanimous 
vote,  the  following  resolutions  were  passed: 

Besolved,  That  proper  measures  be  adopted 
to  establish  an  institution  of  learning. 

Besolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
attention  of  the  annual  conferences,  avoid- 
ing, however,  irredeemable  debts. 

This  action  wisely  contemplated  the  estab- 
lishment, by  the  concurrent  action  of  all  the 
annual  conferences,  of  a  single  institution  of 
learning. 

Early  in  the  year  following,  quite  an  inter- 
est was  manifested,  in  various  parts  of  the 
church,  which,  at  that  period,  had  no  sem- 
inary or  college  under  its  control.     It  is  not 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.   369 

to  be  inferred,  however,  that  a  common 
school  education  was  more  generally  neglected 
than  by  other  religious  denominations,  for  this 
was  not  the  case.  United  Brethren  have  al- 
ways appreciated  knowledge,  encouraged  its 
diffusion,  and  have  not  been  behind  the  Amer- 
ican people  generally,  in  literary  attainments. 
Prior  to  1846,  many  of  the  youth  of  the 
church  were  educated  in  institutions  belong- 
ing to  other  denominations ;  and,  by  this 
means,  many  of  the  most  promising  were 
drawn  into  other  church  relations.  The  pro- 
priety and  importance  of  an  institution  of 
learning,  to  be  controlled  by  the  church,  had 
been  a  subject  of  frequent  conversation  and 
discussion;  but,  owing  mainly  to  the  feeble 
and  scattered  condition  of  the  church,  and  to 
the  fact  that  its  resources  and  its  efficient 
men  were  nearly  all  exhausted  in  the  work 
of  evangelization;  and,  owing  somewhat,  also, 
to  fears  that  a  college  might  be  perverted 
to  the  injury  of  the  church,  no  movement 
was  made  toward  the  erection  of  any  such 
institution  prior  to  1846. 

The  first  action  which  we  find  on  record, 
pursuant  to   the   advice   of  the  general   con- 
ference, was  taken  by  the  INIiami  annual  con- 
ference, which  met  at  Otterbein  Chapel,  Darke 
Vol.  II.— 24. 


370  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

county,  0.,  March  3rd,  1846.  It  was  there 
agreed  at  the  Miami  conference  would  unite 
with  the  conferences  in  Northern  and  Central 
Indiana,  in  establishing  an  institution  of 
learning  at  Bluifton,  Wells  county,  Ind.,  or 
at  some  other  suitable  point,  that  might  be 
agreed  upon. 

To  this  proposition  the  St,  Joseph  confer- 
ence, which  met  in  Kosciusko  county,  Ind., 
in  October  following,  responded  favorably, 
pledging  influence  and  money;  and  three 
trustees  were  elected  (the  first  appointed  by 
our  church),  to  co-operate  with  others  which 
might  be  appointed  ,  by  other  conferences. 
Immediately  after  the  conference  adjourned, 
a  spirited  article  appeared  in  the  Religious 
Telescope,  from  E.  H.  Lamb,  of  the  St.  Jo- 
seph conference,  urging  the  church  to  ener- 
getic action. 

A  few  years  prior  to  this  time,  the  Meth- 
odists had  projected  a  great  number  of  sem- 
inaries and  colleges,  many  of  which  proA^ed 
miserable  failures.  One  of  these,  known  as 
"Blendon  Young  Men's  Seminary,"  was  lo- 
cated at  Wester ville,  0.,  twelve  miles  north 
of  Columbus.  After  a  fruitless  struggle  for 
life,  it  had  submitted  to  the  stern  law  of 
necessity;  and,  at  the  Scioto  conference  which 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     371 

convened  in  Pickaway  county,  Oct.,  26tli, 
1846,  a  delegation  from  the  defunct  semi- 
nary, appeared  with  proposals  to  turn  over 
its  eifects  to  the  said  conference,  if  the  con- 
ference would  pay  a  debt  against  it  of  about 
$1,300.  This  was  regarded  as  a  great  bar- 
gain; and  a  committee  to  whom  the  matter 
was  referred,  unskilled  in  such  enterprises, 
actually  regarded  the  "proposition  as  Prov- 
idential;" and  so  it  might  have  been,  for 
Providence  has  ordained  that  those  who  ac- 
quire their  knowledge  in  the  school  of  ex- 
perience shall  pay  well  for  their  tuition. 
The  conference  almost  as  a  matter  of  course, 
appointed  a  committee  to  purchase  the  prop- 
erty, passed  a  resolution  soliciting  neighbor- 
ing conferences  to  co-operate  in  the  enter- 
prise, elected  a  board  of  trustees,  and  pro- 
vided for  the  appointment  a  traveling  agent 
to  procure  funds.  Something  now  was  ac- 
tually done.  A  school  was  located,  a  pecun- 
iary obligation  assumed,  and  henceforth  some- 
thing more   than   talk   was    demanded. 

In  December  following,  the  Trustees  ap- 
pointed by  the  Scioto  conference, — J.  Dres- 
back,  William  Hanb}^,  and  Lewis  Davis, — 
met  at  Circleville,  and  a2)pointed  L.  Davis 
traveling  agent,   to   secure   means,    and   also 


372  HISTORY    OF    THE 

enlist  the  co-operation  of  other  conferences. 
This  was  a  very  fortunate  selection,  for  had 
not  a  cool,  prudent  man,  with  an  unyielding 
will,  been  chosen,  the  ^probability  is  that  the 
enterprise  would  have  perished  in  its  in- 
fancy. 

In  January,  1847,  the  subject  of  a  college 
was  taken  up  by  the  Indiana  conference, 
which  is  located,  the  reader  must  remem- 
ber, in  Southern  Indiana.  A  school  was  re- 
solved upon,  and  a  committee  of  three  was 
appointed  to  co-operate  with  similar  com- 
mittees, of  the  White  River,  St.  Jose2:)h, 
and  Miami  conferences,  with  a  view  to  the 
location  of  a  college  at  Dublin  or  Wash- 
ington, Indiana.  C.  Lynn,  L.  S.  Chittenden, 
and  J.  Lopp,  constituted  the  committee. 

The  following  month,  Feb.  4th,  the  Alle- 
ghany conference  assembled  at  Mount  Pleas- 
ant, Pa.  This  conference  had  also  caught 
the  spirit  of  the  college  movement.  The 
subject  was  called  up,  and  a  series,  of  very 
decided  resolutions  adoj^ted.  An  institution 
of  learning,  to  be  located  either  at  Johnstown 
or  Mount  Pleasant,  was  resolved  upon,  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  decide  between  the 
two  places.  This  committee  very  wisely  de- 
termined that  it  should  be  at  that  one  of  two 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     373 

points  designated  by  the  conference  which 
should,  in  the  respective  counties  where  they 
were  located,  secure  the  largest  subscrij^tion 
to  the  institution.  J.  Ritter  was  appointed 
traveling  agent,  and  it  was  resolved  that  any 
minister  of  the  conference  wdio  should  exert 
his  influence  against  him,  in  his  work  as  an 
agent,  would  expose  himself  to  conference 
censure.  Thus  was  inaugurated  the  move- 
ment which  resulted  in  the  location  of  a  col- 
lege at  Mount  Pleasant,  under  the  patronage 
of  the  Alleghany  conference.  And  thus  the 
movement  which  began  to  develop  itself  in 
1846,  resulted  in  the  location  of  two  col- 
leges before  the  close  of  1847.  The  division 
of  sentiment  in  the  West  prevented  the  se- 
lection of  either  Bluifton  or  Dublin,  and  the 
strono'  combination  of  western  Ohio  and  In- 
diana,  which  might  have  built  u}:*  a  good 
college,  was  dissolved. 

In  February,  1847,  L.  Davis  appeared  at 
the  Sandusky  annual  conference,  in  session 
in  Wood  county,  and  asked  the  co-operation 
of  that  conference  in  the  Westerville  Sem- 
inary. By  a  small  majority,  the  conference 
agreed  to  co-operate — to  appoint  trustees,  and 
elect  a  traveling  agent  for  the  school.  From 
the  Sandusky  Mr.  Davis   went  to  the   Mus- 


374  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

kingum  conference,  in  session  in  Stark  Co., 
where  he  was  less  successful.  After  a  warm 
debate,  the  conference  voted  down  the  prop- 
osition for  co-operation. 

The  two  seminaries  were  now  fairly  be- 
fore the  people,  and  in  April  and  May  the 
agent  of  the  Westerville  school  was  able  to 
report,  in  subscrij^tions  and  donations,  a  little 
more  than  one  thousand  dollars;  while  the 
agent  of  Mount  Pleasant  reported  nearly  three 
thousand  dollars,  in  addition  to  which  he  had 
the  "23romise  of  five  hundred  dollars  from  the 
good  old  Grerman  Mennonists." 

On  the  26th  of  Aj^ril  the  trustees  of  the 
western  school  met  at  Westerville,  and, 
among  other  things,  decided  that  the  institu- 
tion should  be  known  as  "Otterbein  Univer- 
sity OF  Ohio."  They  also  employed  W.  R. 
Griffith,  a  graduate  of  Asbury  University,  as 
princij^al,  and  made  provisions  for  opening 
the  school. 

During  the  year  or  two  which  followed,  the 
mind  of  the  church  was  very  much  occupied 
with  the  college  question.  It  was  introduced 
into  nearly  all  the  annual  conferences,  and 
the  columns  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  the 
English  organ  of  the  church,  were  crowded 
with  articles  upon  the  question,  from  the  ablest 


and  most  influential  men  in  the  church.  Xo 
considerable  number  opposed  education,  or 
colleges;  yet  there  were  many  who  thought 
the  movement  premature;  others,  who,  while 
they  favored  colleges,  desired  one  of  a  par- 
ticular character;  and  a  few  conscientious 
men,  while  favoring  human  learning,  thought 
colleges  under  the  patronage  of  the  church 
would  gradually  draw  it  away  from  the  sim- 
plicity and  power  of  evangelical  religion.  As 
this  is  a  discussion  which  will  probably  never 
be  revived  in  our  church,  it  may  be  interest- 
ing to  quote  a  few  passages  from  some  of  the 
writers  who  took  a  leading  part  in  it. 

As  representing  the  fathers  of  the  Otter- 
bein  period,  we  quote  a  few  passages  from  H. 
G.  Spayth.*  ^'JNTow  mark  me,  literary,  scien- 
tific, and  religious  attainments,  we  as  a  church 
and  jjeople  have  always  admired,  honored, 
and  respected.  *  *  Had  our  fathers  and 
brethren  believed  it  to  be  their  duty  to  build  up 
.seminaries  of  learning,  it  could  have  been  done, 
as  well  as  other  things;  but  they  confessed 
that  their  call  was  emj^haticallyto  the  weight- 
ier matter,  that  of  winning  souls.  As  to  the 
ministry,  they  sought  not  so  much  to  fill  the 
sacred  stand  with  men  of  polished  eloquence, 

*  Telesec^e,  Vol.  VI.,  336,  337. 


37G  HISTORY    OF    TJIE 

as  with  men  of  power,  of  love,  and  of  sound 
minds;  men  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron. 
They  had  also  learned  these  two  lessons. 
1.  That  learning  is  not  the  p'imarij,  but  the 
secoiulary  means,  or  help,  in  the  gospel  minis- 
try. 2.  That  the  tree  of  knowledge  is  not 
the  tree  of  life." 

On  the  31st  of  March  a  communication 
appeared  in  the  organ  of  the  church,  over 
the  signature  of  H.  Kumler,  which  expressed 
the  views  of  a  very  largo  class,  especially 
of  the  Grerman  portion  of  the  church.  He 
did  not  object  to  institutions  of  learning,  but 
he  wished  to  establish  such  an  institution  as 
would  be  free  from  some  of  the  confessedly 
great  evils  which  attach  to  the  popular  col- 
leges. 

"Can  not,"  said  Mr.  K.,  "institutions  of 
learning  he  conducted  without  being  made  a 
curse  to  many,  as  we  see  they  are?  In 
many  instances  students,  while  at  college,  lay 
the  foundations  of  both  their  physical  and 
moral  ruin.  They  too  often  return  from  col- 
lege, pale,  disinclined  to  labor,  and  often 
profligate  in  their  habits.  *  *  So  far  as  I 
can  learn,  we  of  the  Miami  conference  will 
go  in  favor  of  an  institution  in  which  manual 
labor  and  worldly  economy  are  taught  as  well 


Tf? 


UNITED    BEETHKEN    IN    CHRIST.     377 

as  letters  and  morality.  iN'o  student  to  be 
admitted  who  is  able,  physically,  to  perform 
labor,  and  will  not.  *  *  Out  of  such  an 
institution  we  might  expect  the  rich  and  the 
poor  to  come  with  the  best  intellectual  stock, 
capable  of  enduring  the  hardships  common 
to  man  in  this  rough  world.  *  *  For 
such  an  institution  our  plain  and  honest  peo- 
ple will  go;  for  they  want  their  children 
educated,  but  not  at  the  sacrifice  of  their 
health,  habits  of  industry,  and  immortal 
souls." 

John  Russel  advocated  similar  views  with 
much  force  and  earnestness.  "A  seminary 
of  learning  among  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"  said  he,  "to  which  labor  is  not  ap- 
pended, will  not  suit  the  habits  of  our  peo- 
ple, nor  their  views."  He  urged  the  whole 
church  to  unite  in  the  erection  of  one  great 
manual  labor  college,  to  which  he  offered  a 
liberal  contribution. 

Such  were  the  views  of  the  representative 
men  who  were  regarded  as  least  friendly  to 
the  educational  movement.  They  did  not  op- 
pose learning,  much  less  institutions  of  learn- 
ing; but  their  objections  were  leveled  against 
the  manifest  evils  of  collegiate  life,  and  they 
earnestly  advocated  a  system  by  which  those 


378  HISTORY    OF    THE 

evils  might,  in  their  judgment,  be  obviated; 
and  their  arguments  were  not  without  weight. 
In  May,  1847,  the  trustees  of  Otterbein 
University  issued  a  circular,  in  which  they 
replied  to  some  random  accusations,  and  de- 
fined the  objects  of  the  institution.  Some 
had  called  the  school  a  "priest-factory."  To 
this  fling  they  replied:  "Without  admitting, 
by  any  means,  that  the  acquired  abilities  of 
our  ministry  are  beyond,  or  even  up  to  what 
the  important  station  demands,  against  this 
comment  upon  our  motives,  we  now  enter  the 
most  solemn  protest.  We  have,  from  the  be- 
ginning, in  public  and  in  private,  disavowed 
any  intention  of  the  kind.  *  *  We  ask, 
who  ever  heard  any  of  our  fathers  speak 
against  high  schools,  as  such?  But  they  con- 
sidered it  an  evil  of  great  magnitude  to  edu- 
cate men  in  these  schools  for  the  ministry, 
and  send  them  out  to  preach  without  religion. 
tSo  we  say  loitJi  all  our  hearts.  If  Grod  should 
tail  a  man  from  the  plow,  let  him  go.  If 
from  the  mechanic's  shop,  let  him  go.  If 
from  any  of  the  high  schools  of  the  land,  let 
him  likewise  go,  and  go  immediately.  This 
sentiment  we  think  our  venerated  fathers 
held  no  more  sacred  than  we  do.  *  *  But 
who  will  vouch  that  Otterbein  University  will 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     379 

not,  at  some  future  day,  become  a  'priest- 
factory?'  We  answer,  this  is  asking  too 
much.  All  any  reasonable  man  can  ask,  is, 
that  we  try,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  preserve 
the  institution  from  such  apostasy."  In  rela- 
tion to  the  manual  labor  system,  they  only 
said:  "This  institution  may,  at  some  day  not 
very  remote,  have  connected  with  it  the  man- 
ual labor  system.  This  will  depend,  however, 
upon  our  success  in  raising  the  funds,"* 

Thus  was  our  educational  movement  in- 
augurated thirteen  years  ago.  And  what 
has  been  its  history  since?  To  trace  it 
minutely  and  in  detail,  is  beyond  our  prov- 
ince.    A  few  facts  must  suffice. 

The  Otterbein  University  was  opened  for 
the  reception  of  students  in  September,  1847; 
and  a  good  school  has  been  sustained  ever 
since.  Four  respectable  classes  have  been 
graduated.  In  1847  the  Muskingum,  and  in 
1853  the  Miami  conference,  voted  to  co-op- 
erate. 

The  Mount  Pleasant  college,  located  in  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  regions  in  the  world, 
kept  up  a  respectable  school  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  secured  the  co-operation  of  all 
the    conferences    east    of    Ohio.      At   length, 

*  Circular  prepared  by  L.  Davis  and  W.  Hauby. 


380  HISTORY    OF    THE 

however,  a  troublesome,  though  not  large, 
debt  began  to  press  upon  it,  and  in  1858  its 
interests,  assets  and  debts,  were  transferred 
to  Otterbein  University. 

The  Indiana  conferences,  failing  to  unite  on 
a  central  location,  a  quarterly  conference  of 
JSTewbern  circuit,  held  in  1849,  made  arrange- 
ments to  open  a  school  at  Hartsville,  a  small 
village  in  Bartholomew  Co.,  Ind.,  not  far  from 
the  place  where  the  first  United  Brethren 
societies  in  the  state  were  planted.  The  In- 
diana annual  conference  of  the  same  year,  en- 
dorsed the  action  of  the  quarterly  conference, 
and  took  what  has  since  been  named  the 
Haetsville  University,  under  its  patron- 
age and  control.  Subsequently  the  co-opera- 
tion of  the  White  River  conference  was  se- 
cured, and,  at  a  later  period,  of  the  other 
Indiana  conferences;  but  the  co-operation  of 
the  Wabash  and  St.  Joseph  conferences  has 
only  been  nominal.  In  the  retired  village 
of  Hartsville,  a  good  school  has  been  sus- 
tained since  1849.  Prudence  and  persever- 
ance have  marked  the  action  of  the  trustees 
and  teachers.  No  burthensome  debt  has  been 
created;  and  now,  on  a  site  which  overlooks 
a  picturesque  section  of  Indiana,  a  large  and 
convenient  college  edifice  is  being  erected. 


UNITED    BRETHEEX    IN    CHRIST.     381 

In  1853,  a  seminar}'"  of  very  moderate  pre- 
tensions was  established  at  Blandinsville, 
McDonough  Co.,  Illinois,  under  the  joint 
patronage  of  the  Illinois  and  Rock  River 
conferences,  called  Blandinsville  Semina- 
ry. Little  progress  has  been  made,  yet, 
under  the  fostering  care  of  the  Illinois  con- 
ference (the  Rock  River  having  united  its 
interests  with  Western),  a  good  school  has 
been  sustained.  An  academy  under  Christian 
control  may,  in  an  humble  and  quiet  way, 
accomplish   an   excellent  work. 

At  the  session  of  the  Iowa  conference,  in 
1855,  a  board  of  trustees  was  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  S.  Weaver,  M.  G.  Miller,  J.  Miller, 
D.  Runkle,  and  J.  JN^eidig,  to  locate  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  at  a  place  convenient  for 
the  whole  church  in  Iowa.  The  proposed 
institution  was  to  be  called  Western  Col- 
lege; and  the  co-operation  of  the  Des  Moines 
conference  was  solicited.  At  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  Des  Moines  conference,  a  hearty 
co-operation  was  agreed  upon,  and  trustees 
were,  accordingly,  appointed.  In  December, 
1855,  it  was  decided  that  the  school  should 
be  located  on  section  34,  Putnam  township, 
Linn  Co.,  providing  a  local  donation  of  $7000 
be  made.     The  required  donation  was  secured. 


382  HISTORY    OP    THE 

The  site  selected,  on  the  virgin  prairie,  is  one 
of  the  most  delightful  in  Iowa.  A  building 
was  soon  erected;  and,  on  the  first  day  of 
January,  1857,  the  school  was  opened.  The 
history  of  the  college  since  1857  has  been 
similar  to  that  of  most  young  institutions  of 
the  west.  A  good  school  has  been  sustained; 
labor  and  study  have  been  quite  successfully 
united;  and  the  co-operation  of  nearly  all  the 
western  and  north-western  conferences  has 
been  obtained.  With  prudent  and  energetic 
management  the  Western  College  promises 
to   be   a   success. 

In  1859,  the  Michigan  Union  College,  lo- 
cated at  Leoni,  Jackson  Co.,  Michigan,  was 
transferred  from  the  Michigan  conference  of 
the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Connection,  to  the 
Michigan  conference  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ.  Soon  after  the  transfer  was  made,  a 
school,  known  as  the  Michigan  Collegiate 
Institute,  was  opened  by  the  United  Breth- 
ren, which  has  been  quite  well  sustained. 
The  location,  on  the  Michigan  Central  Bail- 
road,  between  Jackson  and  Detroit,  is  as 
pleasant  as  could  be  desired.  The  property 
transferred  was  valued,  for  school  purposes, 
at   110,000. 

Other  schools  have  been  projected — one  in 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.      383 

Kansas  and  one  in  Oregon  for  example, — 
but  it  is  too  soon  to  speak  of  them  in  this 
volume.  Indeed,  our  seminaries  and  colleges 
are  all  in  their  infancy;  and  it  will  require 
many  years  of  labor  to  place  them  upon 
a  firm  financial  basis.  The  fact,  however, 
should  not  be  overlooked,  that  the  useful- 
ness of  colleges  can  not  be  determined  by 
their  financial  strength  or  circumstances;  and 
that  the  highest  degree  of  efficiency  is  some- 
times attained  amid  the  greatest  pecuniary 
straits.  Ample  endowments  do  not  always 
secure  the  best  class  of  students,  nor  the 
most  competent  professors. 


384  HISTORY    OF    THE 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

THE     MISSIONARY     MOVEMENT ORGANIZATION 

AND   OPERATIONS    OF    THE     HOME,    FRONTIER, 
AND    FOREIGN   MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 

It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  trace  the  rise  of  the 
missionary  movement  in  our  church,  which, 
although  of  recent  origin,  has  already  car- 
ried the  healthful  waters  of  life  to  thousands 
of  thirsty  souls. 

Our  early  German  ministers  were,  in  the 
fullest  sense  of  the  word,  home  missionaries; 
and  better  models  of  genuine  home  evangel- 
ists than  some  of  them  were,  can  not  be 
found.  And  as  soon  as  our  German  societies 
had  obtained  sufficient  solidity,  and  ability  to 
aid  the  cause  outside  of  the  German  commu- 
nities, operations  were  commenced  among  the 
English.  And  thus  the  home  missionary  enter- 
prise, on  a  more  extensive  field,  was  inaugu- 
rated about  the  year  1818;  and  it  was  pros- 
ecuted with  no  little  energy  and  liberality. 
From  1820  to  1840,  the  German  portion  of  the 
church   contributed  liberally   and   constantly, 


U^flTED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    385 

both  means  and  men,  to  carry  forward  the 
home  missionary  work  among  the  English 
people. 

The  west  was  debtor  to  the  east  for  the 
greater  number  of  its  pioneer  members  and 
ministers;  and  also  for  frequent,  and  some- 
times liberal,  material  aid.  It  must  not  be 
supposed  that  the  fathers  were  destitute  of 
the  missionary  spirit.  Far  from  it.  They 
responded  to  the  calls  made  upon  them,  and 
responded  liberally. 

At  the  conference  which  convened  at  Val- 
entine Doub's,  Frederick  Co.,  Md.,  in  1819, 
Abraham  Mayer  paid  over  to  the  conference 
$50  in  cash,  as  a  donation  from  Elizabeth 
Snyder,  which  she  desired  should  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  "poor  itinerant  preachers 
in  the  state  of  Ohio."  Sister  Snyder's  name 
should  ever  be  held  dear  by  the  Brethren  in 
the  west,  for  the  generous  interest  which  she 
manifested  in  their  behalf  at  that  early  pe- 
riod. At  the  same  time  the  sum  of  ^66  24 
cents  was  paid  over  by  the  conference  to  the 
bishops,  to  be  by  them  distributed  among  the 
itinerants  in  Ohio, — making  in  all  $116  24 
cents  of  missionary  aid.  ' 

A  year  or  two  later,  Mr.  Newcomer  vis- 
ited   a    venerable    father    in    Israel,    named 

Vol.  II.— 25. 


386  HISTORY    OF    THE 

Joseph  Witmer,  with  whom  he  conversed 
about  the  traveling  preachers  in  the  western 
country.  "I  read  to  him,"  says  the  good 
bishop,  "several  letters  which  I  had  received 
from  the  state  of  Ohio.  This  moved  him  to 
pity  and  compassion ;  and  he  gave  me  $80  00, 
in  cash,  which  he  directed  me  to  distribute 
among  those  who  most  needed  assistance." 
This  speaks  well  for  Joseph  Witmer. 

Between  1838  and  1840,  nearly  all  the  con- 
ferences organized  home  missionary  societies, 
by  which  means  they  were  able  to  prosecute 
the  work  of  home  evangelization  more  ener- 
getically and  systematically.  Thus  home  mis- 
sionary societies  were  formed  in  Muskingum 
and  Scioto  conferences  in  1838;  in  Virginia 
in  1839;  and  in  Alleghany  in  1840.  At  the 
general  conference  which  met  in  1841,  the 
subject  of  missions  at  home  and  in  foreign 
lands  was  discussed,  and  a  parent  board  of 
missions,  as  already  noticed,  was  appointed. 
For  some  reason  this  board  remained  entirely 
inactive,  for  four  years;  and  at  the  general 
conference  of  1845  it  was  re-elected.  Four 
years  more  of  total  inaction  was  followed  by 
another  re-election  in  1849. 

But  the  time,  the  set  time,  for  a  united 
movement  of   the   whole   church,    under  the 


UNITED    BKETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     387 

lead  of  a   central   board,  was   drawing  near. 
The  Lord   was   stirring  up  the  people,  and 
they  could  not  rest.      Isolated  conference  ac- 
tion, in  the  home  field,  no   longer  answered 
the  wishes  and  the  expectations  of  the  church. 
Soon  after  the   Oregon  territory  was  opened 
for  settlement,  some  United   Brethren   fami- 
lies emigrated  thither,  and,  in  letters  to  the 
Keligious  Telescope,  pleaded  with  the  church 
to    send   them   spiritual   instructors.      These 
calls  touched  many  hearts,  and  moved  some 
to  action;  and  among  the  number  T.  J.  Con- 
ner, of  the  White  River  conference.     Mr.  C. 
suggested,  through  the  organ  of  the  church, 
the  propriety    of  sending  to  the  Pacific   one 
or  two  missionaries,  in  company  with  a   col- 
ony  of  laymen,  who   might   desire   to   settle 
in  the   new  territory.      This  suggestion  was 
well   received.     Quite  a  number   of  families 
volunteered  to   emigrate;   the   board   of  mis- 
sions, first  elected  in  1841,  was  called  together 
to  hold  its   first  meeting;  and  in  the  spring 
of  1853    two  missionaries,  T.  J.  Conner   and 
J.  Kenoyer,  three  local  preachers,  and  twenty- 
nine   lay-members,  set  out  overland  for  Ore- 
gon.    This  movement,  so  wise  and  timel}^  in 
itself,    exerted   an   excellent    reflex    influence 
upon  the  church. 


388  HISTORY    OF    THE 

In  the  autumn  following  the  movement  of 
the  colony  to  Oregon,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Sandusky  annual  conference,  a  profound  in- 
terest in  the  missionary  cause  was  developed ; 
and  a  committee,  of  which  J.  C.  Bright  was 
chairman,  presented  a  report,  in  substance  as 
follows: — 1.  That  the  time  has  fully  come 
when  the  United  Brethren  Church  should 
unite  her  whole  strength  in  a  missionary 
society,  which  shall  include  not  only  the  home, 
but  the  frontier  and  foreign  fields  in  the  sphere 
of  its  labors.  2.  That  the  Sandusky  confer- 
ence organize  itself  into  a  branch  missionary 
society,  with  the  prayer  that  the  general  con- 
ference may  form  a  general  society,  of  which 
each  conference  may  be  a  branch.  3.  That 
the  payment  of  one  dollar  shall  constitute  a 
person  a  member  of  the  society  for  one  year; 
ten  dollars,  a  life  memxber;  and  fifty  dollars, 
a  life  director.  4.  That  our  brethren  be  en- 
treated to  exercise  the  most  prayerful  thought 
and  careful  inquiry  into  the  wants  of  the 
nominally  Christian,  and,  es^^ecially,  heathen 
world,  that  their  views  may  be  enlarged  in 
regard  to  the  magnitude  of  the  work  devolv- 
ing upon  the  Christian  church,  in  fulfilling 
the  commission  given  by  our  Savior  on  the 
Mount,  just  before  his   ascension.      5.    That 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN     CHRIST.    389 

whereas  the  members  of  the  Sandusky  an- 
nual conference  have  formed  themselves  into 
a  foreign  missionary  society,  our  delegates  to 
the  ensuing  general  conference  are  instructed 
to  pray  said  conference  to  take  such  measures 
as  will  create  an  eifective  foreign  missionary 
society,  in  order  to  effect  a  concentrated  ac- 
tivity throughout  the  whole  church,  so  that 
we  may  confidently  look  forward  to  the  time, 
not  distant,  when  the  church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  shall  have  efficient  mis- 
sionaries in  foreign  lands. 

This  report  was  supported  by  stirring  ad- 
dresses from  the  presiding  bishop,  D.  Ed- 
wards, H.  Gr.  Spayth,  and  others,  and  adopted 
without  a  dissenting  vote ;  after  which  a  sub- 
scription was  presented,  and  more  than  $700 
were  immediately  pledged  to  the  society's 
funds.  The  conference  adjourned  in  a  thor- 
oughly awakened  missionary  spirit.  The  other 
conferences,  which  met  prior  to  the  gen- 
eral conference,  manifested  a  similar  spirit; 
and  when  the  general  conference  convened 
in  Miltonville,  in  May,  1853,  the  whole  church 
was  ripe  for  a  general  missionary  inovement. 
After  a  pretty  thorough  discussion  of  the 
question,  the  plan  outlined  in  the  action  of 
the    Sandusky  conference  was  adopted    with 


390  HISTORY    or    THE 

entire  unanimity.  A  general  missionary  so- 
ciety was  organized,  or  to  say  the  same  thing 
in  a  plainer  way,  the  United  Brethren  chm-ch 
was  organized  into  a  missionary  society.  The 
society  is  known  as  the  "Home,  Frontier,  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ."  Of  this  society  J.  J. 
Glossbrenner,  senior  bishop  of  the  church, 
was  elected  President;  H.  Kumler,  L.  Davis, 
and  D.  Edwards,  Vice-presidents;  J.  G.  Bright, 
Corresponding  Secretary;  J.  Kemp,  jr.,  Treas- 
urer; William  Longstreet,  D.  Shuck,  T.  N. 
Sowers,  J.  Dodds  and  D.  B.  Crouse,  Man- 
agers. 

The  Corresponding  Secretary  devoted  him- 
self to  the  cause  with  a  zeal  and  energy  which 
made  a  deep  impression  upon  the  mind  of 
the  church.  Few  could  hear  his  impassioned 
discom'ses  without  being  moved.  At  some 
public  meetings  |1000,  and  at  others  |2000 
were  secured;  and  this  was  not  in  wealthy 
city  churches,  but  in  small,  and  comparatively 
poor  congregations.  During  the  first  year  of 
the  society's  operations,  $7,541  66  in  cash 
were  paid  over  for  missions,  $3,450  50  of 
which  were  for  frontier  and  foreign  missions 
exclusively.  In  addition  to  this  the  general 
secretary  reported  that  the  probable  amount, 


UJflTED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     391 

in    notes    and    subscriptions,    in   the    various 
conferences,  was  not  less  than  ^15,000. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  during 
the  year,  a  mission  was  located  in  Africa, 
and  another  in  Canada.  At  the  annual  meet- 
ings a  very  excellent  spirit  prevailed.  The 
resolutions  ado2:)ted  express  the  spirit  which 
animated  the  Board  and  the  church,  at  the 
outset  of  this   movement. 

L  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  tlie  remarkable  success  of  our  mis- 
'sioiiary  agent  in  securing  funds,  and  also  in  view  of  the  most  cordial 
and  efficient  action  and  operation  of  the  different  annual  conferences 
throughout  the  cliurch  in  promoting  the  missionary  work,  we  are 
called  upon  by  the  great  Head  of  the  church  to  render  thanks  to  the 
God  of  missions,  and  to  consecrate  ourselves  anew  to  his  service. 

II.  Resolved,  That  this  missionary  board  will  make  it  a  primary 
jobject  to  give  the  go-pel  of  Christ  to  all  men  in  all  countries  in  its 
unmixed  and  original  purity,  wholly  uncorrupted  by  the  popular 
sins  of  the  age^  such  as  Slavery,  Secret  Oath-bouud  Societies,  In- 
temperance and  Caste. 

III.  Resolved,  That  we  are  more  tlian  ever  convinced  of  the  obli- 
gation resting  upon  us  as  ministers  of  Him  who  said,  ^'  Go  ye  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  and  also 
its  members  of  the  Christian  Church  in  general,  to  give  the  gospel, 
tlie  whole  gospel,  to  the  heathen  abroad  as  well  as  to  our  fellow  coun- 
trymen at  home. 

IV.  Resoh'ed,  That  we  will  continue  to  conjure  oiij  Christian  breth- 
ren bj'  all  their  love  of  that  most  lovely  of  Beings,  who  gave  his  life  for 
the  redemption  of  the  whole  human  race  ;  by  all  their  deep  sympa:liy 
for  down-trodden  and  degraded  humanity  ;  and  by  every  tlireb  of 
the  heart  that  beats  in  the  direction  of  the  good  and  the  brave,  to 
listen  to  the  voice  of  lamentation  and  woe  coming  up  from  the  whole 
continent  of  Africa. 

V.  Resolved,  That  in  the  propagation  of  Christianity  bo:h  at  home 
and  ill  heathen  countries,  we  regard  the  law  of  God  as  paramount  to 
ts  all  human  compacts,  and  as  the  only  foundation  of  moral  obligation. 


392  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

Heiico  no  human  law  can  be  binding  upon  the  conscience,  if  it  cleaiiy 
comes  in  conflict  with  the  law  of  God. 

VI.  Eesolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Boai'd  one  of  the  firat 
duties  of  the  missiouaiy  after  ai'iiving  in  a  heathen  country,  is  to  ap- 
ply his  mind  to  acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  language  or  dialect  of  the 
natireSj^o  that  he  may  be  able,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  speak  to  the 
people  in  their  own  tongue  and  without  an  interpreter. 

VII.  Resolved,  That  we  place  but  little  confidence  in  the  building 
up  of  missionary  schools  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  heathen  a 
foreign  language  and  a  foreign  literature  ;  yet  we  advise  our  mission- 
aries, as  soon  as  practicable,  to  erect  schools  for  the  purpose  of  teach- 
ing the  heathen  a  more  perfect  knowledge  of  their  own  language, 
and  the  ordinary  sciences  pertaining  to  civilized  life  ;  and  also  by 
the  aid  of  their  schools  let  the  Scriptures  be  given  to  the  heathen  in 
the  language  wherein  they  were  born,  as  soon  as  possible. 

VIII.  Resolved,  That  we  advise  all  the  missionaries  who  may  go  to 
heathen  countries  under  the  direction  of  this  Board,  to  carry  out  the 
itinerant  system,  as  recognized  in  oar  book  of  discipline,  sofai'  as  prac- 
ticable, under  the  circumstances. 

IX.  R.esolved,  That  while  we  believe  it  will  be  many  years  before 
our  missions  in  heathen  countries  become  self-supporting,  j^et  we 
•will  labor  to  produce  this  result  as  soon  as  possible. 

X.  Resolved,  That  while  we  appreciate  the  power  and  influence 
of  wealth,  learning  and  genius,  as  instruments  in  the  great  woi-k  of 
converting  the  heathen  to  Christ,  yet  we  believe  that  no  amount  of  hu- 
man leai"ning  and  wealth,  no  array  of  talents  and  genius,  can  supply 
the  place  of  an  humble  reliance  on  God,  and  a  faithful  adherence  to  the 
principles  of  Christianity. 

XI.  Resolved,  That  we  do  most  earnestly  and  aft'ectionately  re- 
quest all  our  ministers  and  members  of  the  church  to  make  it  a  regu- 
lai'  business  to  pray  for  the  success  of  missionaries  ;  and  particularly 
for  those  of  our  dear  brethren  who  may  be  enduring  the  hardships  and 
privations  incident  to  a  missionary  life  in  an  uncivilized  country." 

These  resolutions  breathe  the  right  spirit, 
and  the  church  may  do  well  to  recur  to  them 
frequently  in  years  to  come.  Oftentimes,  in 
the  Adgor  and  spirituality  of  the  early  life  of 
a  Christian  enterprise,   the  sight  is   clearer, 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.    393 

and  the  faith  stronger  and  more  evangelical, 
than  in  maturer  years,  when  there  is  more 
wealth,  policy,  routine,  worldly  wisdom  and 
worldly  conformity. 

At  this  meeting  W.  J.  Shuey  was  appointed  to 
the  African  mission,  and  S.  S.  Snyder  to  Kan- 
sas. In  July  of  the  same  year,  Israel  Sloane 
was  appointed  to  the  Canada  mission;  and  in 
November,  D.  C.  Kumler,  and  D.  K.  Flickinger 
were  added  to  the  African  force.  The  three 
brethren,  Shuey,  Kumler  and  Flickinger,  sail- 
ed from  JSTew  York,  January  23rd,  1856,  and 
reached  Africa,  February  28th,  1856. 

Thus  was  the  missionary  enterprise  inaug- 
urated among  us.  Let  us  now  take  a  sum- 
mary view  of  its  progress  during  the  first 
eight  years  of  its  operations.  The  correspond- 
ing secretary,  Mr.  Bright,  in  his  quadrennial 
report,  says: — 

"The  cordial  manner  in  which  the  mission- 
ary cause  has  been  received  by  every  annual 
conference  that  I  have  visited,  and  by  the 
churches  in  the  various  portions  of  our  Zion, 
and  the  intelligent  and  lively  interest  mani- 
fested, deserve  especial  and  grateful  acknowl- 
edgments. The  whole  church  has.  been  so 
nearly  a  unit,  in  this  cause,  and  has  shown 
such  a  readiness  to  act  fully  up  to  the  light 


394  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

and  opportunity  afforded,  that  we  may,  vvitli 
the  inci'easing  light  and  facilities,  reason- 
abh^  hope  that  the  time  is  near  when  our 
missionary  resources  will  be  fully  develop- 
ed, and  successfully  emj^loyed  at  home  and 
abroad;  and  when,  eye  to  eye,  and  shoulder 
to  shoulder,  with  Grod's  j^eople  of  every  name, 
we  shall  push  on  the  conquests  of  the  Cross 
until  the  whole  world  shall  rejoicingly  sub- 
mit to  the  .peaceful  reign  of  our  Redeemer 
and  Lord.  During  the  last  four  years  an  ex- 
tensive work  has  been  accomplished  in  the 
home  field;  portions  of  the  frontier  field  have 
been  surveyed,  and  cultivation  has  been  com- 
menced ;  and  the  foreign  field  has  been  visited, 
— a  stake  has  been  planted,  and  the  measur- 
ing line  has  been  stretched  upon  it. 

"Four  years  since  we  had  no  organization 
in  Oregon ;  nov/  we  have  a  small  but  flourish- 
ing annual  conference,  and  a  fine  prospect  for 
tjie  growth  of  the  church  both  in  Oregon  and 
Washington  territories. 

"In  Kansas  our  prospects  are  good.  The 
political  sky  is  cloudy,  but  freedom  must,  in 
the  end,  prevail.  We  have  but  to  follow  the 
openings  of  Providence,  to  win  man}^  souls  in 
Kansas. 

^'The  Mis>souri  mission-conference  has  been 


UNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    395 

able  to  add  but  little  to  its  strength.  It  is 
situated  in  the  midst  of  the  border  conflict, 
and  is  a  light  in  a  dark  place. 

"Our  mission  in  Canada  is  very  prosper- 
ous. The  membership  has  been  nearly  doubled 
during  the  past  year,  and  now  reaches  near  400. 

"Nebraska,  Minnesota,  and  Tennessee,  are  all 
promising  missions.  The  borders  of  the  Mich» 
igan  and  German  mission-conferences  have 
been  enlarged.  The  Michigan  conference  has 
already  19  preachers,  and  a  membership  of 
about  1000.  The  German  has  25  preachers, 
and  a   membership   of  1200. 

"Every  annual  conference  in  the  church 
has  increased  in  membership,  and  some  have 
more  than  doubled  their  numbers." 

The  entire  expenditure  for  missions  during 
the  four  years,  for  the  fi'ontier  and  foreign 
work,  was  $21,580  00,  distributed  as  follovrs: — - 

Africa, ^5.50n  00 

Oregoii, 3,425  00 

Kansas, 2,555  0' I 

Missouri, 1,750  00 

German  conference 2,950  00 

Micbigan  Mission-conference, 1,200  00 

Minnesota, 400  00 

Canada 2,310  00 

Nebraska, 1,500  00 

Total, $21,580  00 

The  expenditures  for  the  home  work,  including  the 
amounts  raised  for  the  support  of  missionaries  on 
the  missions  amounted  to ,  $60,101  21 

Making  a  total  expenditure  for  the  four  years  of $81 ,681  21 


396  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

In  1857,  D.  K.  Flickinger,  who  had  just 
returned  from  Africta  in  consequence  of  fail- 
ing health,  was  elected  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary of  the  Society;  and  he  devoted  himself 
to  the  duties  of  his  office  with  all  the  ardor 
which  actual  experience  in  the  foreign  work 
is  calculated  to  inspire.  Large  success  at- 
tended his  labors,  as  a  soliciting  agent;  but 
a  long  and  painful  illness  seemed  to  render 
his  resignation  necessary,  a  few  months  after 
the  general  conference.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Mr.  Bright,  his  predecessor  in  the  office, 
who,  after  nearly  a  year's  devotion  to  the 
cause  he  loved  so  well,  was  in  turn  compelled, 
on  account  of  completely-2)rostrated  health, 
to  resign.  By  this  time  Mr.  Flickinger  had 
so  far  recovered  from  the  etfects  of  the  African 
climate,  as  to  be  able  to  resume  his  office; 
and  he  has  since  devoted  himself  to  its  duties 
with  marked  ability  and  success.  To  him, 
in  connection  with  the  Treasurer,  Mr.  J. 
Kemp,  jr.,  belongs  the  credit  of  carrying  the 
Society  creditably  through  one  of  the  most 
embarrassing  financial  periods  which  this 
country  has  ever  known;  and  not  only  has 
the  credit  of  the  Society  been  sustained,  but 
the  cause  has  been  pushed  forward  success- 
fully.    From   the    second  quadrennial  report 


UNITED    BRETHREN     IN    CHRIST.   397 

of  the  Society's  operations  we  learn  that  dur- 
ing the  four  years  ending  in  1861,  there  were 
paid  toward  the  support  of  the 

Sherbro  mission.  West  Africa, $7,349  67 

Canada  mission-conference 3,550   00 

Michigan      "  "        500  00 

Wisconsin     "  "        9,000  00 

Minnesota     "  "        2,020  00 

Nebraska      "  " 1,755  00 

Kansas          "  "        2,750  00 

Missouri       "  "        1,350  00 

Tennessee     "  "        731  25 

Parkersburg "  "        873  03 

German         "  "        3,700  00 

California     "  "        50  00 

Oregon          "  "        3,293  00 

Total  paid  by  the  board  for  frontier  and  foreign  work,  $28,822  04 
During  the  same  period  there  was  paid   for  the  sup- 
port of  missions,  on  the  frontiers,  b3'  the  missions 

themselves,  excluding  California 16,416  40 

Paid  for  the  support  of  home  missions  in  the  various 

self-sustaining  conferences  during  the  same  period.     81,824  91 

Total  for  home,  frontier,  and  foreign  missions $127,063  35 

Tliese  footings,  Avhen  compared  with  the 
footings  of  ]Mr.  Bright's  report  for  the  term 
ending  in  1857,  show  an  increase  in  the  ag- 
gregate contributions  of  |45,382  14. 

The  second  quadrennial  report  shows  a  debt 
of  only  ^5,166  65.  Against  this  the  Society 
has  the  following  availables: 

Lands  in  Illinois,  donated  by  J.  C.  Bright,  120  acres, 

valued  at $   1 ,500  00 

Landsiu  Illinois,  bequeathed  by  W.H.  Beown,  valued  at  12,000  00 
Notes  in  the  hands  of  branch  treasurers 10,300  00 

Total  assets $22,800  00 

Assets  over  debt $17,633  44 

Such  is  an  outline  history  of  the  Home, 
Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  dur- 
ing the  first  eight  years  of  its  operations. 


398  HISTOEY    OP    THE 


CHAPTER  XXYL 

THE  FROXTIEE  MISSIOX  WOEK — NEW  CONFER- 
ENCES—  OREGON,  MICHIGAN,  CANADA,  WIS- 
CONSIN, MISSOURI,  KANSAS,  MINNESOTA,  GER- 
MAN, PARKERSBURG — MISSIONS — CALIFORNIA, 

TENNESSEE,  AND  NEW  ENGLAND. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  in  the 
spring  of  1853  T.  J.  Conner  and  J.  Ken- 
oyer,  accompanied  by  J.  I>,  Lichtenthaler,  M. 
M.  Crow,  R.  Price,  and  twenty-nine  lay- 
members,  left  the  States  for  Oregon,  by  the 
overland  rente.  The  journey  across  the  plains 
and  mountains  v\^as  accomplished  in  about 
five  months.  The  whole  company  reached 
their  destination  except  David  Mason,  a  be- 
loved father  in  Israel,  who  died  on  the  way, 
in  good  hope  of  a  home  in  heaven.  His  re- 
mains rest  at  "Barlow's  Gate,"  near  the  east- 
ern base  of  the  Cascade  mountains.  Soon 
after  the  colony  arrived  in  Oregon,  a  class 
was  organized  in  Benton  Co.,  and  on  the  20th 
of  May,  1854,  the  first  quarterly  conference 
was  held.      Dividing  the  Willamette   valley 


TJNITED    BEETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     399 

into  two  missions,  Mr.  Conner  commenced 
his  work  upon  the  southern,  and  Mr.  Ken- 
oyer  upon  the  northern  division.  Their  la- 
bors "were  abundantly  blessed. 

The  general  conference  of  1853  recognized 
Oregon  territory  as  a  mission-conference  dis- 
trict, and  all  the  ministers  in  the  territory 
assembled  in  annual  conference  on  the  30th 
day  of  May,  1855.  The  annual  conference 
was  composed  of  the  ministers  already  named, 
and  P.  C.  Parker.  T.  J.  Conner,  to  whom 
the  superintendence  of  the  mission  had  been 
committed  by  the  board,  was  elected  bishop 
2)ro  tern.  At  the  time  of  the  organization  of 
the  conference,  the  missionaries  had  been  la- 
boring in  the  territory  eighteen  months ;  dur- 
ing which  time  they  had  introduced  the  church 
into  the  counties  of  Yam  Hill,  Polk,  Marion, 
Benton,  Linn,  Lane,  and  Umpqua.  The  two 
missionaries  were  much  aided  by  the  local 
ministers. 

The  first  annual  conference  divided  the 
work  into  five  fields  of  labor,  the  whole  con- 
stituting one  presiding  elder's  district.  Such, 
in  brief,  is  a  history  of  the  establishment  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church  in  Oregon.  Of  the 
progress  of  the  work,  and  of  many  pleasing 
and  exciting  incidents  connected  with  it,  no- 


400  HISTORY    OF    THE 

tice  can  not  be  taken  in  this  volume.  Suf- 
fice it  to  say  that  the  foundations  of  the 
church  were  laid  ujion  the  solid  rock;  that 
the  workmen  have  been  prudent,  persevering, 
and  true;  and  that  the  progress  of  the  cause 
has  been  constant  and  healthful.  The  statis- 
tics of  the  conference  for  1861  show  eleven 
traveling  and  seven  local  ministers,  and  five 
hundred  and  seventy-three  members. 

Prior  to  1840,  some  societies  of  United 
Brethren  were  formed  in  Lenewee  Co.,  Mich- 
igan, by  the  Sandusky  conference,  and  in 
Berrien  Co.,  by  the  St.  Joseph, — these  coun- 
ties lyi'ng  adjacent  to  circuits  and  missions  in 
Ohio  and  Indiana, — but  up  to  the  year  1848, 
no  well-directed  effort  had  been  made  to  es- 
tablish the  church  in  the  interior  of  the  state. 
Prior  to  this  time.  United  Brethren  missiona- 
ries had  found  their  way  far  beyond  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  were  already  looking  to  Oregon 
as  a  field  soon  to  be  occuj)ied.  The  reason 
why  Michigan  and  other  northern  states, 
and  Canada,  were  passed  by  so  long,  is  found 
in  the  fact  that  United  Brethren  from  the 
older  sections  of  the  church  usually  followed 
the  tide  of  emigration  which  flowed  through 
Indiana,  Illinois,  and  Iowa.  Michigan  being 
largely  settled  by  New  York  and  New  Eng- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     40l 

land  people,  tliere  were,  of  course,  few  United 
Brethren  ministers  among  the  emigrants,  to 
lift  up  the  standard,  or  members  to  call  for 
missionaries. 

In  1848  the  presiding  elder,  who  traveled 
the  western  district  of  Sandusky  conference, 
encouraged  a  zealous  young  preacher  to  open 
a  mission  in  Livingston  and  adjoining  coun- 
ties; and  at  the  session  of  the  Sandusky  con- 
ference for  1849,  a  mission  district,  consist- 
ing of  four  missions,  was  organized.  The  dis- 
trict was  traveled  by  Stephen  Lee.  The  work 
progressed  so  rapidly,  imder  the  supervision 
of  the  Sandusky  conference,  that,  in  1853,  the 
general  conference  constituted  the  state  of 
Michigan  (excepting  the  portion  occupied  by 
the  St.  Joseph  conference)  a  mission  confer- 
ence. 

The  first  session  of  this  conference  was 
held  near  Eaton  Rapids,  in  October,  1854. 
Bishop  Davis  presided,  and  the  following 
ministers  were  in  attendance:  J.  Lawrence, 
J.  Mxon,  A.  Bowser,  J.  Martin,  Gr.  C.  Fox, 
H.  Rathbun,  W.  S.  Titus,  S.  Lee,  C.  B. 
Waldo,  W.  L.  Kennard,  and  G.  W.  Miller. 
The  preachers  were  stationed  as  follows: — 
Michigan  District:  J.  Dixon,.  P.  E.;  Lansing, 
A.  Bowser;  Pine  Lake,  W.  L.  Kennard; 
YoL.  II.— 26. 


402  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

Grand  River,  Gr.  C.  Fox;  Barry,  A.  Barnum,' 
Eaton,  H.  Rathbun;  Ingham,  J.  Garber;  Jack- 
son, G,  W.  Miller;  Adrian,  W.S,  Titus;  Raisin, 
J.  Martin;  Hillsdale,  Kalamazoo,  and  Kent 
missions  to  be  supplied. 

At  the  end  of  four  years  of  self-denying 
labor,  the  young  conference  was  placed  on 
the  list  of  self-supporting  conferences;  and  in 
1860  it  numbered  twenty-six  itinerant  and 
eleven  local  ministers,  and  sixteen  hundred 
and  twenty-two  members;  and  it  had  under 
its  control,  at  Leoni,  a  promising  seminary 
of  learning. 

Some  societies  were  formed  in  Canada. 
West,  by  Jacob  Erb;  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago;  but  they  were  neglected,  and,  as  a  con- 
sequence, were  disbanded,  although  some  ex- 
cellent members,  gathered  into  the  fold  by 
Mr.  Erb,  remain  unto  this  day.  In  1853 
the  Sandusky  conference  made  a  small  ap23ro- 
priation  toward  the  support  of  a  mission  in 
Canada;  and  the  following  year  Mr.  Erb 
made  a  visit  to  the  Province  to  inquire  into 
the  expediency  of  re-establishing  a  mission. 
On  his  return  he  reported  favorably  of  the 
enterprise,  whereupon  the  board  of  missions 
sent  over  Israel  Sloane,  of  the  Scioto  con- 
ference, as  a  missionary.     Other  laborers  from 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     403 

the  United  States  followed,  and  some  were 
raised  up  in  the  Province.  So  well  did  the 
cause  advance  that  in  1856  bishop  Glossbren- 
ner  visited  the  mission,  and  organized  an  annual 
conference,  called  the  Canada  Mission-confer- 
ence. The  first  session  of  this  new  conference 
was  held  at  Sheffield.  Five  missions  were 
recognized  and  supplied,  and  the  whole  field 
was  placed  under  the  supervision  of  Mr.  Sloane, 
as  presiding  elder.  The  growth  of  the  work 
has  been  healthful;  and  an  excellent  class  of 
ministers  has  been  raised  up  in  the  Prov- 
ince. In  1861  the  conference  numbered  six- 
teen ministers,  and  seven  hundred  and  three 
members.  An  open  door  has  been  placed 
before  the  United   Brethren  in  Canada. 

The  United  Brethren  church  in  Wiscon- 
sin was  established  by  missionaries  from  Il- 
linois; prominent,  and  most  beloved  among 
whom  w^as  James  Davis.  The  first  society  in 
the  state  was  organized  by  Mr.  Davis,  at 
father  Johnson's,  not  far  from  Rutland,  in 
Dane  Co.  The  blessing  of  God  upon  the 
indefatigable  labors  of  the  missionaries  from 
Illinois  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  many 
good  societies  in  the  southern  counties  of  the 
state.  In  1857  the  general  conference  set 
off  the  w^ork  in  Wisconsin,  constituting  it  a 


404  HISTORY    OF    THE 

mission-conference.  This  was  a  wise  measure; 
and  it  has  told  very  favorably  upon  the  progress 
of  the  cause.  The  first.  Wisconsin  conference 
met  at  Rutland,  Dane  Co.,  in  1858.  Bishop 
Davis  presided.  The  work  was  divided  into 
two  districts,  comprising  sixteen  missions  and 
four  circuits,  which  were  supplied  as  follows: 

East  District:— G.  G.  Nickey,  P.  E.;  Rutland,  S.  C.  Zuck;  Uniou, 
S.  Sutton;  Monroe,  J.  W.  Reed;  Sun  Prairie,  W.  Haskins;  Whitewater, 
E.  S.  Bunce;  Fon  du  lac,  J.  Nichols;  Plymouth,  S.  Knox. 

West  District :— S.  L  Eldred,  P.  E.:  Viroqua,  F.  Outcalt ;  Craw- 
ford, R.  Powell;  Forest,  IST.  Smith;  Richland,  G.  Kite;  Honey  Creek, 
W.  W.  Simpkins  and  B.  Howard;  Leminonware,  D.  Harrington; 
Blakes  Prairie,  E.  W.  Canfield;  Blue  River,  J.  Payne;  Otter  Creek, 
J.  B.  L.  Winter;  Rushacre,  R.  Crozier.  Several  missions  were  left  to 
be  supplied  with  laborers  by  the  presiding  elders. 

The  Lord  went  with  the  missionaries,  and  at 
the  annual  conference  for  1860  they  reported: 
ministers,  local,  eight;  traveling,  thirty-one; 
fields  of  labor,  thirt3^-two;  members,  eighteen 
hundred  and  eighty-five.  At  the  request  of 
this  vigorous  young  conference,  the  general 
conference  of  1861  divided  Wisconsin  into 
two  conferences.  The  southern  portion,  re- 
taining the  old  name,  was  made  a  self-sustain- 
ing conference;  the  northern,  called  Fox  River, 
was  made  a  mission-conference. 

Efforts  were  made  in  1853  to  establish  the 
United  Brethren  church  in  south-western 
JMissoijRi.      Henry  Kumler,   jun.,    was    sent 


UNITED    BKETHREN    IN    CHEIST.     405 

out,  early  in  that  year,  as  a  pioneer  mission- 
ary; and  he  was  followed  by  J.  Terrel.  An- 
nual conferences  were  held,  bishop  Edwards 
presiding,  from  1854  to  1858;  but  soon  after 
the  work  had  been  so  well  begun,  the  great 
struggle  between  freedom  and  slavery  for  the 
territory  of  Kansas,  was  commenced.  The 
United  Brethren  missions  were  in  the  famous 
"Border,"  and  during  the  years  of  intense 
excitement  which  followed,  our  infant  societies 
made  little  or  no  progress. 

The  Des  Moines  conference  inaugurated  a 
more  successful  missionary  movement,  under 
more  favorable  auspices,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  state;  and  in  1858  the  ministers  of 
that  conference,  who  had  been  laboring  in 
Missouri,  assembled  in  annual  conference  at 
Atlanta,  in  Macon  Co.  Bishop  Edwards  pre- 
sided. The  fields  of  labor  were  named  and 
supplied  at  this  conference  as  follows:  Eagle- 
ville,  P.  Shanklin;  Putnam,  J.  Osborn  and 
J.  Mayfield;  Chariton,  G-.  H.  Busby;  St. 
Francisville,  J.  H.  McYay;  JSTewport,  T.  Per- 
kins; Atlanta,  W.  H.  Burns;  Bible  Grove,  J. 
T.  Timmons;  St.  Aubert,  S.  Coblentz.  Two 
missions,  the  Nodaway  and  Marrowbone,  were 
to  be  supplied  by  the  presiding  elder,  Moses 
Michael.     The  growth  of  this  conference,  since 


406  HISTOKY    OF    THE 

its  re-organization,  has  been  highly  encourag- 
ing. The  missionaries  have  devoted  them- 
selves to  the  cause  with  commendable  zeal; 
and,  at  the  conference  in  1860,  were  able  to 
report  1001  members  in  society,  not  includ- 
ing any  in  the  south-Avestern  part  of  the  state. 

Soon  after  Kansas  was  opened  for  settle- 
ment, the  missionaries  of  the  United  Brethren 
church  Avere  sent  into  the  territory;  and 
through  the  severe  and  protracted  struggle 
between  freedom  and  slavery,  —  a  struggle 
which  will  till  a  large  space  in  the  history 
of  our  country, — they  were  among  the  most 
efficient  evangelists.  The  first  missionaries 
sent  out  were  S.  S.  Snyder,  of  Alleghany  con- 
ference, and  W.  A.  Cardwell,  of  Indiana. 
The  first  annual  conference  convened  at  Prai- 
rie City,  Douglas  Co.,  in  1857,  bishop  Ed- 
wards presiding.  The  fields  of  labor  were 
supplied  as  follows: 

Kansas  district:  S.  S.  Snyder,  P.  E.;  Tecum- 
seh  mission,  W.  A.  Cardwell;  Big  Springs, 
A.  M.  Thornton;  Lawrence,  S.  Kretzinger; 
Prairie  City,  J,  S.  Gingerich;  Upper  Neosho, 
Gr.  Perkins;  Lower  Neosho,  N.  Bixler;  Fort 
Scott,  J.  Terrel;  Osawattamie,  W.  Huff'man. 
Amid  all  the  difficulties  arising  from  the 
struggle  for  freedom,  and  from  the  late  fam- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     407 

ine,  the  church  has  been  steadily  gaining 
ground;  and  in  1860  Avas  able  to  report  nine 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  members  in  society. 
In  the  month  of  October,  1856,  J.  W.  Ful- 
kerson,  formerly  of  the  Virginia  conference, 
commenced  his  labors,  as  a  missionary  of  the 
United  Brethren  board,  in  Minnesota.  In 
August  of  the  following  year  Edmund  Clow, 
of  the  Rock  River  conference,  received  a 
commission  to  labor  in  the  same  field.  So 
well  was  the  work  commenced,  that  the  gen- 
eral conference  of  1857  recognized  Minnesota 
as  a  mission-conference  district;  and  the  first 
session  of  the  Minnesota  conference  was  held 
at  Marion,  Olmstead  Co.,  in  August,  1857. 
Bishop  Davis  pr^esided.  There  were  present, 
besides  the  ministers  already  named,  J.  Haney, 
who  had  been  sent  out  by  the  board,  from 
the  Yirginia  conference;  and  J.  Merril,  for- 
merly of  the  Sandusky  conference.  At  the  ses- 
sion of  this  new  conference  (which  lies  almost 
wholl}''  north  of  the  United  Brethren  line  of 
emigration),  for  1860,  nine  itinerant  preachers, 
and  four  hundred  and  ninety-one  members, 
were  reported. 

In  1835,  fathers  Mechlin  and  Cramer,  of 
the  Scioto  conference,  by  invitation  of  Mr. 
Hanby,  established  an  appointment  in  a  large 


408  HISTORY    OF    THE 

German  settlement  in  south-eastern  Ohioy 
which  resulted  in  the  organization  of  a  good 
society,  composed  wholly  of  European  G-er- 
mans.  This  was  the  germ  of  a  work  exclu- 
sively German,  which  has  since  been  devel- 
oped into  two  German  conference  districts. 
Up  to  1853  the  German  preachers  in  the 
west,  raised  up  among  the  European  Ger- 
mans, were  received  into  the  English  confer- 
ences; but  at  the  general  conference  of  that 
year  an  exclusively  German  conference  was 
formed,  to  embrace  Ohio  and  the  west  gen- 
erally. This  mission-conference  held  its  first 
session  in  1853;  and,  after  eight  years  of  suc- 
cessful labor,  a  self-supporting  German  con- 
ference was  constituted  in  Ohio,  and  a  Ger- 
man mission-conference  formed  in  Indiana 
and  the  nortk-w^est.  There  were  in  the  Ger- 
man conference,  at  its  session  in  1860,  fifteen 
traveling  preachers,  and  twelve  hundred  and 
eighteen  members. 

The  Parkersburg  conference  was  set  off 
from  the  Virginia  conference  in  1857.  It 
occupies  that  portion  of  Virginia  which  lies 
west  of  the  mountains.  With  but  triflino- 
assistance  from  the  board  of  missions,  its 
success  has  been  all  that  could  be  desired. 
It  num^bered,   at  its  last  annual  session,  six- 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     409 

teen  traveling  preachers,  and  twenty-two  hun- 
dred and  ten  members. 

In  1858  Israel  Sloane,  who  had  labored 
with  such  marked  success  as  a  pioneer  in 
Canada,  volunteered  to  open  a  mission  in 
California.  Trusting*  wholly  to  the  gen- 
erosity of  the  j)<^ople  among  whom  he  was 
to  labor,  and  to  his  own  means,  for  support, 
he  entered  uj^on  the  work,  and  labored  with 
so  much  success,  that,  in  1861  the  general 
conference  recognized  California  as  a  mission- 
conference  district.  Mr.  Sloane  reported  re- 
cently, in  the  new  work,  three  or  four  fields 
of  labor,  all  of  which  were  supplied,  and  a 
number  of  good  societies.  The  spirit  of  en- 
terprise which  has  characterized  Mr.  S.  in 
the  establishment  of  this  mission,  is  worthy 
of  all  praise. 

In  1856  John  Reubush,  of  the  Virginia 
conference,  was  sent  into  eastern  Tennessee,  to 
open  a  mission.  He  was  kindly  received  by 
the  people,  and  his  labors  were  crowned  by 
the  conversion  of  many  souls.  He  succeeded 
in  forming  a  good  circuit,  and  erecting  one  or 
more  houses  of  worship,  when  the  war  for 
the  Union  rendered  a  suspension  of  his  labors 
necessary. 

In  1857  the  Sandusky  conference  projected 


410  HISTORY    OF    THE 

a  mission  in  JN'ew  England.  S.  Lindsay  and 
L.  Moore  were  the  first  missionaries  employed 
in  this  work.  They  commenced  their  labors 
in  Massachusetts.  The  Lord  went  with  them, 
and  with  those  subsequently  sent;  and  so 
well  was  the  work  sustained,  that  in  1861  a 
Massachusetts  mission-conference  was  formed. 
Prior  to  the  establishment  of  the  conference, 
the  New  England  mission  was  supported  and 
supplied  with  laborers  wholly  by  the-  San- 
dusky conference. 

We  have  only  glanced  at  the  rapidly-ex- 
panding frontier  field,  a  minute  history  of 
which  would  fill  a  volume ;  but  we  have  seen 
sufficient  to  convince  us  that  the  last  decade 
has  been  a  period  of  very  successful  frontier 
missionary  work  in  the  L^nited  Brethren 
church. 


UNITED    BEETHEEN    IN    CHEIST.     411 


CHAPTER  XXYTI. 

th:<]   late    QUADEENNIAL    COXFEEENCES WA- 

TEE    BAPTISM — DEPEAVITY    QUESTION  —  IM- 
PEACHME>~T    CASE — STATE    OF    THE    CHUECH. 

Of  the  late  general  conferences, — tenth, 
eleventh,  twelfth,  and  thirteenth, — a  detailed 
notice  can  not  be  given  in  this  volume. 
Aside  from  the  ordinary  routine  of  work, 
devolving  upon  the  chief  ecclesiastical  assem- 
bly of  a  church,  little  was  done  by  the  gen- 
eral conference  of  1849.*     One  act,  however, 

*  The  conference  districts  were  represented  as  follows  :  Pennsyl- 
vania, J.  Erb,  G.  Miller,  and  J.  Fobl ;  East  Pennsylvania,  C.  Pefley, 
.  Roop,  and  D.  Gingericli;  Virginia,  H.  Burtner,  J.  Bechtel,  and  J. 
Markwood;  Alleghany,  J.  B.  Resler,  J.  R.  Sitmau,  W.  Beighel;  Mms- 
kingum,  S.  C.  Steward,  A,  S.  Wade,  and  J.  Todd;  Scioto,  J.  Montgom- 
ery, D.  Edwards,  and  M.  Ambrose;  Sandusky,  A.  Spracklin,  H.  G. 
Spayth,  and  J.  C.  Bright;  Miami,  W.  R.  Rhinehart,  W.  Davis,  H. 
Kumler,jr.;  Indiana,  H.Bonebrake,  L.  S.  Chittenden,  J.  Lopp;  Illi- 
nois, J.  Terrel;  Wabash,  J  Hoobler,  J.  P.  Shuey,  and  J.  Griffith; 
White  River,  D.  Stover,  W.  W.  Richardson,  C.  W,  Witt;  St.  Joseph,  J. 
Thomas,  J.  M.  Hershey,  E.  and  H.  Lamb. 

Elections.  W.  Hanby,  Editor  of  Religious  Telescope;  D,  Strickler, 
Editor  of  "Busy  Martha";  N.  Altman,  Publishing  Agent;  J.J.Gloss- 
brenner,  J.  Erb,  and  D.  Edwards,  bishops;  the  Trustees  of  the  Print- 
ing- Establishment  were  re-elected. 


412  HISTOEY    OF    THE 

deserves  a  little  attention.  The  rule  on  secret 
societies  was  changed,  with  a  view  to  make 
it  more  eifective.  Prior  to  1849  some  new 
secret  orders  had  arisen,  and  among  them 
the  Sons  of  Temperance,  an  order  which,  by 
its  devotion  to  the  noblest  of  causes,  appealed 
with  almost  resistless  effect  to  the  popular 
heart;  and  yet,  unfortunately  for  the  great 
cause  in  which  it  was  enlisted,  the  hateful 
serpent  of  secrecy  was  coiled  up  in  its  very 
heart.  Many  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ  were  placed  in  a  strait.  They  did 
not  wish  to  give  any  countenance  to  the  de- 
fenseless principles  upon  which  secret  com- 
binations are  founded,  nor,  on  the  other  hand, 
to  op230se,  or  even  a^i^ear  to  oppose  the  blessed 
cause  of  temperance;  and  as  the  rule  in  the 
discipline  specified  Freemasonry  only,  a  few 
of  them  overlooking  the  Constitution  which 
prohibits  connection  with  any  and  every  secret 
combination,  joined  the  new  order,  and  claimed 
that  in  so  doing  they  violated  no  rule  of 
discipline.  The  subject  came  before  the  gen- 
eral conference,  was  thoroughly  discussed,  and 
with  but  two  dissenting  votes  the  following- 
new  chapter  was  inserted  in  the  Discij^line,  in 
the  place  of  the  old  chapter  adopted  in  1829:* 

*  See  page  191. 


UNITED    BRETHREX    IX    CHRIST.'    413 

"  Freemasonry,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  shall  be  totally  prohibited, 
and  there  shall  be  no  connection  with  secret  combinations ;  (a  secret  com- 
bination is  one  whose  initiatory  ceremony  or  bondof  union  is  a  secret); 
and  any  member  found  connected  with  such  societ}^  shall  be  affection- 
ately admouished  by  the  preacher  in  charge,  twice  or  thrice,  and  if  such 
member  does  not  desist  in  a  reasonable  time,  he  shall  be  notified  to  ap- 
pear before  the  tribunal  to  which  ho  is  amenable;  and  if  he  still  refuses 
to  desist,  he  shall  be  expelled  from  the  Church," 

The  eleventh  general  conference,  which  con- 
vened in  Miltonville,  0.,  in  1853,*  is  marked 
by  the  vigorous  progressive  spirit  which  charac- 
terized all  its  proceedings.  The  missionary  and 
publishing  interests  of  the  church  received 
especial  attention.  As  noticed  elsewhere,  the 
Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety was  organized ;  and  a  healthful  aggres- 
sive spirit  breathed  into  every  department  of 
the  missionary  enterprise.  The  Printing  Es- 
tablishment was  removed  from  Circleville  to 
Dayton,  Ohio,  and  measures  were  adopted, 
looking  toward  an  expansion  of  the  field  of 
its  operations.     These  interests  have,  alread}^, 

*  The  conference  districts  were  represented  as  follows:  PennsyU 
vania,  J.  Russel,  A.  Owen,  J.  C.  Smith;  East  Pennsylvania ,  S  Dres- 
back,  S.  Vonneida,  J.  A.  Sand;  Miami,  H.  Kumler,  jr.,  J.  Hill,  J. 
Coons:  Virginia,  J.  Markwood,  J.  Bachtel,  G.  B.  Rimal;  Scioto,  J. 
Montgomery,  H.  Jones,  M.  Ambrose;  Alleghany,  J.  B.  Kesler,  S.  S. 
Snyder,  I  Potter ;  White  River,  J.  T.  Vardaman,  D.  Stover,  W.  W. 
Richardson;  Jowa,  F.  R.  S.  BjTd,  A.  A.  Sellers;  Muskingum,  S. 
Weaver,  E.  Slutts,  C.  Carter;  Sandusky,  J.  Lawrence,  J.  C.  Bright, 
A.  Biddle;  Illinois,  J.  A.  Kenoyer,  J.  Terrel;  Wabash,  J.  Griffith,  A, 
Wimsett,  J.  P.  Shuey;  St  Joseph,  J.  B  Slight,  J.  Fetherhuff,  J.  Surran, 
Indiana,  J.  Lopp,  L.  S.  Chittenden,  D.  Shuck. 


414  ,    HISTORY    OF    THE 

received  attention  in  this  history;  and  we 
need  only  refer  to  them  now.  One  matter, 
however,  relating  to  the  delicate  question  of 
water-baptism,  must  be  noticed.  At  an  early 
period  in  the  conference,  a  resolution  was 
introduced  by  Mr.  Kumler,  which,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  some  of  the  members  of  the  confer- 
ence, leaned  a  little  to  the  Pedo-Baptist  side  of 
the  question ;  and  a  brisk,  though  good-natured, 
debate  sprang  up.  Hap23ily,  however,  before 
the  question  was  pressed  to  a  vote,  bishop 
Glossbrenner  offered  the  following  substitute 
to  Mr.  Kumler's  resolution:  "Resolved,  that 
in  the  ojoinion  of  this  conference  it  is  con- 
trary to  the  spirit  of  the  United  Brethren 
church  for  a  minister  to  speak  lightly,  either 
publicly  or  privately,  of  any  form  of  baj^tism 
practiced  by  his  brethren."  This  resolution, 
which  breathes  the  spirit  of  Christianity,  and 
is  in  entire  harmony  with  the  discipline  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  was  heartily 
endorsed  by  the  conference.  Good  sense  and 
good  Christianity,  alike  forbid  the  endorse- 
ment of  the  extreme  views  entertained  either 
by  the  Baptists  or  the  Pedo-Baptists.  Of 
another  subject.  Which  occupied  some  attention 
in  the  ninth,  eleventh,  and  twelfth  quadrennial 
conferences,  a  passing  notice  must  be  given. 


TJNITEI)    BEETHREN    IN    CHEIST.     415 

United  Brethren,  in  all  periods  of  their 
history,  have  been  remarkably  free  from  doc- 
trinal controversies ;  and  hence  they  have 
produced  few  theological  works,  have  been 
entirely  free  from  schisms,  and  their  time 
and  means  have  been  devoted  to  the  diffu- 
sion of  experimental  and  practical  religion. 
Yet  they  have  not  entirely  escaped  what  Mr. 
Beecher  has  very  well  denominated  "the  con- 
flict of  ages."  As  early  as  1834,  the  subject 
of  depravity  was  occasionally  discussed  in  the 
columns  of  the  Religious  Telescope ;  but  it 
was  not  until  about  the  year  1845  that  any 
considerable  attention  was  called  to  it.  At 
the  general  conference  for  that  year,  a  mo- 
tion was  made  to  strike  out  the  word  "de- 
pravity" from  the  question  asked  of  candi- 
dates for  the  ministry,  beginning,  "What  is 
your  knowledge  of  faith,"  etc.  This  motion 
was  not  sustained.  After  this  little  brush, 
for  such  it  was,  the  subject  was  allowed  to 
slumber  until  1853.  Into  the  general  con- 
ference of  that  year,  a  motion  was  introduced 
by  Mr.  Potter,  to  strike  out  the  word  "  de- 
pravity" in  the  question  already  referred  to, 
and  to  place  in  the  list  of  questions  to  can- 
didates, the  following  new  question  :  "  Do 
you  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  natural,  hered- 


416  HISTOEY    or    THE 

itary,  total  depravity,  as  held  by  our  cliurcli?" 
This  proposition  called  forth  quite  a  lengthy 
and  exciting  discussion,  after  which  Mr.  P.'s 
question,  modified  to  read  thus :  "  Do  you  believe 
in  the  doctrine  of  natural,  hercditar}^,  complete 
depravity?"  was  adopted,  and  inserted  in  the 
discipline,  accompanied  by  the  following  ex- 
planation, offered  by  bishop  Glossbrenner,  and 
placed  in  a  foot  note.  "  1.  By  depravity  is  meant, 
not  guilt,  nor  liability  to  punishment,  but  the 
absence  of  holiness,  which  unfits  man  for  heaven. 
2.  By  natural,  it  is  meant  that  man  is  born 
with  this  absence  of  holiness.  3,  By  hered- 
itary, is  meant  that  this  unholy  state  is  in- 
herited from  Adam.  4.  By  total  or  complete, 
is  not  meant  that  a  man  or  a  child  can 
not  become  more  unholy;  or  that  he  is  irre- 
coverably unholy;  nor  that  he  is  a  mass  of 
corruption;  but  that  this  absence  of  holiness 
must  be  predicated  of  all  the  faculties  and 
powers  of  the  soul." 

This  action  did  not  give  very  general  satis- 
faction, especially  in  some  portions  of  the 
west,  and  a  brisk  theological  skirmish  was 
kept  up,  in  many  places,  during  the  four 
years  which  intervened  between  the  general 
conferences  of  1853  and  1857;  and,  when  the 
last-named  conference  convened,  preparations 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     417 

were  made,  on  both  sides,  for  a  pitched  bat- 
tle. Fortunately,  the  piety  and  good  sense 
of  the  conference  enabled  them  to  adopt,  by 
a  unanimous  vote,  a  substitute  for  the  ques- 
tion of  1853,  which  has  been  entirely  satis- 
factory to  the  church,  and  which  put  an  end 
at  once, — it  is  hoped  for  all  time  to  come, 
—to  controversy  on  this  confessedly  difficult 
question,  in  the  United  Brethren  church. 
The  question,  as  adopted  by  the  conference, 
and  as  it  now  stands  in  the  discipline,  reads 
thus:  "Do  you  believe  that  man,  abstract 
of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fal- 
len from  original  righteousness,  and  is  not 
only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is  in- 
clined to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  con- 
tinually; and  that,  except  a  man  be  born 
again  he  can  not  see  the  kingdom  of  God?" 
The  thirteenth  general  conference  assem- 
bled at  Westerville,  0.,  in  1861,  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  great  war  for  the  Union.  It  was 
remarkable  for  the  unity  which  character- 
ized all  its  proceedings.  Some  changes  were 
made  in  the  discipline,  one  of  which  provides 
that  ministers  or  members  of  the  church, 
who  violate  the  rule  in  relation  to  secret 
societies  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  other  cases 
of  immorality;  and  a  case  of  impeachment 
Vol.  II.— 27. 


418  HISTORY   OF   THE 

©f  an  annual  conference, — the  first  in  the 
history  of  the  church, — ^was  tried.  That  it 
may  be  properly  understood,  a  few  facts  must 
he  stated. 

Just  before  the  Sandusky  conference  met 
to  hold  her  annual  session  for  1857,  it  was 
rumored  that  some  ministers  of  that  body 
were  Freemasons.  That  such  might  be  de- 
tected, if  in  the  conference,  by  resolution, 
each  member  was  asked,  publicly,  on  his  ex- 
amination,—  "Are  you  a  member  of  any  se- 
cret society?"  To  this  question  every  mem- 
ber of  the  conference  present  answered  in 
the  negative.  However,  soon  after  the  rise 
of  the  conference  it  was  ascertained  that 
several  of  the  itinerant  ministers  of  the  con- 
ference were  Freemasons!  This  intelligence 
produced  a  painful  sensation  in  the  confer- 
ence, and  throughout  the  church. 

At  the  succeeding  annual  conference,  the  min- 
isters implicated  were  called  to  account,  and 
they  all  admitted  that  they  had  joined  the 
Freemasons.  As  the  question  of  guilt  was 
settled,  upon  the  acknowledgment  of  the  par- 
ties implicated,  the  conference  adopted  the 
following  paper,  as  a  guide  in  the  disposition 
of  the  cases  before  it:  I 

This  conference  learns  with  deep  regret  that  several  of  its  members 
have,  within  a  recent  period,  and  in  plain  violation  of  our  discipline 


UNITED    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.     419 

and  the  Holy  Scriptures,  become  Freemasons.  This  gives  us  unmin- 
gled  pain  ;  and  the  report  of  this  defection  in  the  ministry  of  this 
conference  has  occasioned  much  uneasiness  throughout  the  church, 
tending  greatly  to  destroy  confidence  in  the  integrity  of  our  ministry. 
We  are  more  than  ever  convinced  of  the  evils  of  secret  societies — of 
their  utter  incompatibility  with  the  principles  of  our  church,  and  with 
vital  Christianity;  and  we  are  determined,  by  the  help  of  God,  kindly 
and  humbly,  but  firmly  and  boldly,  to  enforce  our  discipline  in  relation 
to  all  secret  combinations,  in  this  conference,  and  in  all  the  churches 
committed  to  our  care. 

As  it  respects  the  ministers  of  our  conference  who  have  become  Free- 
masons, our  condemnation  of  what  they  have  done — we  say  it  in  sor- 
row and  in  love— is  unqualified.  We  can  find  no  apology  for  it.  The 
fact  that  they  had  committed  unto  them,  by  their  brethren,  important 
trusts  and  responsibilities,  hightens  the  offense.  It  can  not  be  too 
much  deplored  that  watchmen,  set  for  the  defense  of  the  church,  should 
be  the  first  to  betray  it  into  the  hands  of  its  enemies.  A  pure,  truth- 
ful, and  reliable  ministry  is  essential  to  the  safety  and  prosperity  of 
Zion. 

But  it  is  not  in  our  hearts  to  deal  harshly  with  our  brethren;  and,  in 
case  they  can  give  satisfaction  to  this  conference,  such  as  the  gospel  re- 
quires, we  are  ready  to  receive  it  as  the  same  gospel  directs.  In  order 
that  we  may  arrive  at  a  just  and  satisfactory  conclusion,  we  adopt,  as  a 
rule  to  be  applied  to  all  the  cases  in  question  before  us,  the  following : 

These  brethren  implicated,  who  frankly  confess  that  they  have  com- 
mitted a  grievous  wrong  against  the  church,  and  against  God,  by 
becoming  Freemasons,  and  that  they  are  heartily  sorry  for  that  wrong, 
and  who  promise  that  they  will  have  no  connection  with  Freemasonry, 
neither  giving  nor  answering  its  signs,  or  grips,  or  pass-words,  enter- 
ing its  lodges,  or  in  any  way  avail  themselves  of  its  benefits,  directly 
or  indirectly,  and  who  assure  the  conference  that  they  do  now  heartily 
endorse  our  discipline  on  secrecy,  and  will  honestly  observe  it,  and 
enforce  it  in  their  administration,  and  support  it  by  their  influence, 
shall  be  forgiven — received  to  our  hearts  as  brethren,  and  commended 
to  the  confidence  and  love  of  the  church. 

Before  the  conference  closed,  all  the  minis- 
ters implicated  complied  with  the  require- 
ments   of    this    paper,    were   forgiven,    and 


420  HISTORY    OF    THE 

appointed,  as  usual,  to  fields  of  labor.  Subse- 
quently, however,  dissatisfaction  was  expressed 
with  the  action  of  the  conference,  and,  as  a 
result,  an  impeachment  of  the  conference  was 
instituted.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  ac- 
tion of  the  conference  was  sustained  by  the 
general  conference. 


STATE   OF    THE    CHUECH. 

The  reader  Will  indulge  a  few  concluding 
thoughts  on  the  present  state  of  the  church. 
In  their  quadrennial  address  to  the  general 
conference  of  1861,  the  superintendents,  who 
have  the  means  of  obtaining  the  most  exact 
and  thorough  information  on  the  subject,  say: 
"On  reviewing  the  labors  of  the  past  four 
years,  we  are  happy  to  state  that  the  Lord 
has  been  with  us.  Our  progress  has  been 
steady  and  general.  Peace  prevails  through- 
out the  church.  Our  ministers  and  members 
manifest  a  disposition  to  'walk  by  the  same 
rule,  and  mind  the  same  thing,'  and  thus 
maintain  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds 
of  peace."  The  following  facts,  selected  from 
the  annual  conference  charts,  will  exhibit,  to 


UNITEI>    BRETHREN    IN    CHRIST.    421 

some   extent,  the   progress   made  within  the 

last  four  years.     We  have  now 

Preaching  places,  -        -        .-    5,204 

Classes, 3,901 

Sabbath-schools,  -  -  -  -  1,534 
Meeting-houses,  -  -  -  1,049 
Itinerant  preachers,  -  -  -  725 
Local  preachers,         .        -        -  640 

Members, 94,453 

A  comj^arison  of  these  statistics  with  those 
of  1857,  shows  a  gain  in  four  years,  of  preach- 
ing places,  1,313 ;  classes,  1,285 ;  members, 
33,054  ;  itinerant  preachers,  226 ;  local  preach- 
ers, 223;  meeting-houses,  276;  Sabbath-schools, 
525.  These  facts  indicate  a  very  rapid  and 
healthful  growth. 

Again,  a  comparison  of  the  statistics  of 
1860-'61,  with  those  of  1850-'51,  indicates 
the  same  fact.  It  is  only  necessary  to  state 
that  the  whole  number  of  members  in  the 
church  in  1850-51,  scarcely  reached  40,000. 
In  1860-61,  the  number,  as  already  seen,  is 
94,453,  showing  a  gain,  during  the  decade  of 
54,453.  For  some  statistical  details  the 
reader  is  referred  to  the  table  at  the  end  of 
this  volume. 

The  United  Brethren  in  Christ  are  still  a 
humble,   and  zealous  people.      Their  houses 


422  HISTORY    OF    THE 

of  worsliip  are  plain  and  substantial.  No 
minister  in  the  church,  as  far  as  the  author 
is  informed,  has  fallen  into  the  prevalent 
practice  of  reading  his  sermons ,'  and  the  prac- 
tice would  hardly  be  tolerated  in  any  con- 
gregation. United  Brethren  ministers  are 
generally  well-informed  men,  called  from  the 
field  or  the  workshop.  They  are  good  ex- 
temporaneous speakers,  industrious,  not  un- 
willing to  labor  with  their  hands  when  duty 
requires  it,  and  successful  evangelists. 

Choirs  have  not  been  established  in  any 
congregation;  and  the  general  conference  of 
1861,  without  a  dissenting  vote,  adopted  a 
resolution,  prohibiting  their  introduction.  Or- 
gans, or  other  instruments  of  music,  would 
not  be  tolerated  in  the  public  worship  of  God. 
In  their  assemblies  the  men  and  women 
usually  sit  apart;  and  all  join  in  singing 
with  the  Spirit,  if  not  always  with  the  under- 
derstanding  also. 

That  the  Christian  church  is  composed  only 
of  those  who  have  been  born  again,  and  now 
live  by  faith  on  the  Son  of  God,  is  a  univer- 
sal conviction.  Any  one  who  attends  their 
love-feast  meetings,  or  listens  to  their  prayers 
and  sermons,  or  witnesses  their  labors  with 
seekers  of  religion  at  the  mourner's   bench 


UNITED    BRETHEEN    IN    CHRIST.     423 

or  anxious  seat,  will  be  convinced  of  this 
fact.  The  life  of  God  in  the  soul  is  still 
the  great  thought  with  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ. 

At  the  close  of  the  general  conference  of  1861, 
one  of  the  bishops  said :  "  The  fact  has  been 
developed  here,  that  on  all  important  ques- 
tions,— on  all  great  moral  questions,  this  church 
is  a  unit.  Toward  this  perfect  unity,  the  ten- 
dency has  been  constant  for  the  last  ten  years. 
In  this  Grod  has  a  purpose.  We  are,  per- 
haps, yet  in  the  school.  Let  us  walk  hum- 
bly and  softly  before  God.  Let  us  beware 
lest  the  vessel  be  marred  in  the  hands  of  the 
potter.  God  has  had  a  purpose  in  raising 
up  this  people,  but  there  is  danger  that  the 
vessel  be  marred.     Let  us  be  watchful." 

"0  may  we  ever  -walk  in  him, 
And  nothing  know  beside ; 
Nothing  desire,  nothing  esteem, 
But  Jesus  cnicified." 


424 


HISTOEY    OF    THE 


SOME  STATISTICS  FOR  1860-'61. 


Sonference  Districts. 


Alleghany 

Auglaize , 

California , 

Canada , 

East  Pennsylyania , 

Erie. 

Des  Moines* 

German , 

Illinois , 

Indiana , 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Lower  Wabash 

Miami 

Michigan , 

Minnesota 

Missouri 

Muskingum 

■Nebraska 

Massachusetts 

Oregon 

Parkersburg 

Pennsylvania 

Rock  River 

Sandusky 

Scioto 

St.  Joseph |241 

Tennessee  (mission) 

Upper  Wabash 1202 

Virginia 153116 

White  River ^167  139 

Wisconsin 203  162 

»  For  1859. 


INDEX, 


vol.  PAGE. 

Africa,   United    Brethren 

misaionaries  sent  to . .  2  393 

mission  at  Shengay. ...  2  393 
Albrights,  or  Evangelical 

Association 1  368 

proposed  union  with  TJ. 

Brethren 1  373 

Alleghany  conf.  set  ofif. . .  2  234 

Ambrose,  William 2  242 

"       Matthias  and  Lewis  2  243 

Antes,  Henry 1  110 

Antrim,  Jacob 2  130 

Asbury,  Francis. 

reaches  America 1  216 

views  of  dress  and  learn- 
ing   1  217 

early  acquaintance  with 

Schwope 1  218 

letter  to  Otterbein 1  229 

is  ordained  by  Coke  and 

Otterbein 1  221 

opinion  of  Otterbein. .     1  397 
of  the  German  U.  B.  fa- 
thers generally 1  415 

Bachtel,  Jacob 2  229 

John 1  110 

Baker,  Henry 1  270 

Baptism 

IT.  Breth.  discipline  on..  2  42 

views  of  C.  Grosh 2  43 

H.  G.  Spayth 2  45 

Holy  Scriptures 2  46 

action  of  gen.  conf.  1825.  2  57 

1853.  2  414 

Baulus,  Jacob 1  367 

and  vol.  2,  30,  299,  303. 

Benedum,  George 2  71 


VOL.  PLat. 

Benevolent  Fund 2  220 

Bever,  Joseph 2  307 

Bible,  printed  by  the  TJ. 

Brethren  in  1470 1  54 

the  standard  of  doctrine  1  303 

Biddle,  Alexander 2  295 

Bishop,  provision  for  elec- 
tion of,  in  case  of  Ot- 
terbein or  Boehm's  de- 
cease   1  303 

not  superior  in  order  to 

an  elder 2  51 

Bishops  not  to  be  ordained 

a  second  time 2  158 

Blair,  J.  M 2  318 

"     William 2  319 

Blandinsville  Seminary. .  2  381 
Boehm,  Martin 

early  life 1  151 

Christian  experience. . .   1  157 
—161. 

visits  Virginia 1  162 

elected  bishop 1  291 

re-elected 1  371 

decease 1  379 

never  a  Methodist — Hol- 

lingsworth  reviewed.  2  380 

Bolzius 1  109 

Bonebrake,  G.  and  H 2  132 

Briggs,  S.  C 2  292 

Brighter  day  dawning. . .  2  99 

Brown,  William 2  95 

Bright,  J.  C 2  307 

Bucer's  opinion  of  the  TJ.B.  1  57 

Burtner,  Henry 2  199 

Burns,  John 2  346 

Byrd,  F.R.  S 2  350 


426 


INDEX. 


VOL.  PAQB. 

California  mission 2  409 

Calvin,  John,  and  U.B...  1  58 

Calixtines 1  47 

Camp-meetings,  first  held 

intheU.B.  church..  2  63 

origin  of 2  64 

Carter,  Charles 2  297 

Church  of  Christ  never  de- 
stroyed   1  23 

Comenius'  appeal 1  60 

Congregation  of  God  in  the 

,    Spirit 1  115 

Constitution  of  Otterbein's 

church  in  Baltimore..  1  231 
Constitution  of  the  United 

Brethren  in  Christ. . .  2  322 

Cosner,  T.J 2  387 

Coons,  John 2  239 

Communion  to  be  open  to 

all  Christians 2  164 

Confession  of  Faith,  U.  B. 

in  Christ 2  41 

Confession  of  Faith,  Wal- 

densian 1  31 

Co-operation  with  the  Meth- 
odists    1  340 

retarded  the  growth  of 

the  United  Brethren. .  2  19 
Conference,    annual     first 
held  by  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  in  1789.  1  262 
Conference,  general 

"      1815..  2  35 
"                "      1817..  2  65 
"                "      1821..  2  139 
"      1825..  2  156 
"                "      1529..  2  191 
"               "      1833..  2  280 
"                "      1837..  2  321 
"      1841..  2  329 
"      1845..  2  364 
"                "      1849..  2  411 
"               "      1853..  2  413 
'•      1857..  2  417 
"                "      1861..  2  417 
Correspondence  with  Meth- 
odist conferences. .. .  1  341 
Council  of  Constance. ...  1  44 

Coursey,  "W.  R 2  220 

Crary,  Ezra 2  308 

Cramer,  Philip 2    301 


VOL.  FAOB. 

Cramer,  Lewis 2      93 

Crum,  Christian- 2    200 

Crum,  John  and  Jacob. . .  2    301 

Dark  ages 1       22 

David,  Christian 1       81 

Davis,  Lewis 2    255 

"      James 2    271 

"      William 2    272 

"      John. 2    303 

Dehoff,  Jacob 2    114 

Denham,  John 2    268 

—310. 
Delegates  to  the  first  gea- 

eral  conference 2      36 

"        how  elected 2      32 

Denominational  spirit,  lack 
of,  among  early  Breth- 

reru 2      23 

Depravity 2    413 

Deputation  of  inquiry  sent 
out  by  United  Breth- 
ren just  before  the  Ref- 
ormation    1      52 

Desmoines  conference  or- 
ganized  2    357 

Discipline  in  the  Reformed 

church  neglected. ...   1       75 
action  of  the  old  confer- 
ence in  relation  thereto  2      31 
U.  Brethren,  first  printed 

in  1815 2      40 

new  sections  added  in 

1817 2      66 

Dillenberg,       Otterbein's 

birth-place. .........  1     122 

Districts  into  which  the  U. 
B.  church  was  divided 

in  1814 2      32 

Draksel,  Abraham 1    267 

East  Pennsylvania  confer- 
ence set  oflF 2    237 

Education 2    368 

Edwards,  David 2    253 

Eckles.J.P 2    268 

English,  introduction  into 

theU.  B.  church....  2    117 
English-speaking    minis- 
ters  2    118 

Erb,  Jacob 2    226 

Erret,  Henry 2    301 

Everhart,  John 2    349 


INDEX. 


427 


VOL.  FA6I. 

Evinger,  Henry 2  91 

Experiences  of  Christiana  3  308 

Farmer,  Aaron 2  260 

Faber,  J.  C 1  227 

Feet-washing 2  47 

Fohl,  John 2  231 

Forney,  Abraham 2  290 

Fratres  Ligis  Christi 1  49 

Garber,  Jacob 2  301 

German  element,   decline 
of  in  the  U.  States  be- 
tween 1784  and  1824.  2  17 
German  work,  peculiar  dif- 
ficulties of 2  26 

conference  organized  in 

1853 2  408 

paper 2  228 

Glossbrenner,  J.  J 2  216 

Grosh,     Christopher,    on 

baptism 1  267 

2  43 

Great  meetings 1  305 

2  157 

Griffith,  James 2  277 

Gronau,  Israel  Christian.   1  109 
Gregory      VII.,      decree 
against  religious  lib- 
erty in  Bohemia 1  39 

Guething,  George  Adam, 

biographical  sketch  of  1  180 

Han  by,  William 2  251 

Harrington,  Israel 2  300 

Hartsville  University 2  360 

Hastings,  William 2  244 

Havens,  Nathaniel 2  122 

Hazelius,  Dr.,  quoted 1  76 

Hendel,  William 1  207 

Hershey,  J.  M 2  219 

John 1  378 

Heistand,  Samuel 2  326 

Herrnhut  founded 1  83 

Eildt.  F 2  297 

Hiskey,  George 2  301 

HoflEinan,  Joseph 2  29 

152. 
Home  missionary  societies 

organized 2  386 

Home,  frontier,  and  foreign 

missionary 2  386 

Hu-sa,  John 1  42 

Huber,  Samuel 2  107 


VOL.  rxox. 
"  In  Christ,"  added  to  U. 

Brethren  in  1800....   1  291 
Indiana,  first  U.  B.  church 
planted  in  the  territo- 
ry of.  1814 2  60 

early  laborers  in 2  62 

conference  organized ...  2  259 
northern,    rise    of    the 
U.    Brethren   church 

in 2  310 

Iowa,  rise  of  the  U.  Breth- 
ren church  in 2  346 

conference  organized. . .  2  354 
Itinerant  spirit,  lack  of  in 

the  early  Brethren ...  2  22 
plan  endorsed  by  Miami 

conference  in  1814.. .  2  34 
plan  adopted  by  the  first 

general  conference. . .  2  48 
Itineracy,  action  of  gen- 
eral couf.  of  1825 2  159 

Kansas,  rise  of  the  U.  B. 

church  in 2  406 

Kemp,  Peter 1  377 

Kenoyer,  Frederick 2  278 

J.  A 2  387 

Keuagi,  Christian 2  290 

Kentucky,   establishment 

of  the  U.  B.  church  in  2  318 

Kimberlin,  Henry 2  301 

Kinney,  James 2  246 

Kreider,  Martin 1  -266 

Kumler,  Henry,  sen 2  82 

Kumler,  Henry,  jun 2  307 

Lamb,  E.  H 2  312 

Landis,  David 2  30T 

Lehman,  Adam 2  204 

"       Jacob  Adam 2  204 

Lillibridge,  Stephen 2  303 

Liquor  making  condemn- 
ed by  the  discipline 

of  1821 S  147 

Long,  Isaac 1  172 

"      Samuel 2  293 

"      Michael 2  307 

Local  preachers  pioneers 

in  Sandusky conf....  2  302 

to  receive  no  pay 1  328 

right  guarant*}ed  in  the 
United  Brethren  con- 
stitution    2  332 


428 


INDEX. 


TOIi,  PAOB. 

Luther,  conferences  with 

United  Brethren 1  55 

Man  of  sin 1  22 

Mahan,  Jacob 2  267 

Martin,  J.  D 2  HU8 

Mark  wood,  Jacob 2  221 

Mayer,  Abraham 2  167 

McNamar,  John 2  il7 

173,  191. 

Mechlin,  Dewalt 2  92 

Menno  Simonis 1  68 

Mennonites 1  66 

Methodists,  rise  of,  in  U.S.  1  214 

and  United  Brethren..  2  340 
Methodist  Protestants  and 

the  United  Brethren .  2  193 
Miami  conference,  organ- 
ized in  1810 1  335 

division  of 2  164 

Michigan  conference 2  400 

Michigan  Collegiate  Insti- 
tute   2  382 

Miller,  George 2  229 

"        Joseph 2  308 

Ministers  all  of  one  order.   2  51 

52. 

Missionary  movement. . .   2  384 

Montgomery,  Joshua. ..  .   2  240 

Morgan,  John 2  276 

"  Mountain     Messenger," 
started  by  VV.  R.  R., 

in  183.3 2  286 

Mount  Pleasant  College. .  2  372 
379. 

Muhlenberg,  Dr 1  117 

Muskingum  conference  or- 
ganized  2  96 

history  from  1820 2  289 

Erie,  set  off  from 2  298 

Mystery  of  Iniquity 1  20 

Minnesota,  rise  of  U.  B. 

church  in 2  407 

Missouri,  rise  of  the  U.  B. 

church  in 2  4U4 

Neiding,John 1  273 

New   England,  establish- 
ment   of  the  United 

Brethren  church  in. .  2  409 
-  Newcomer,  Christian 
early  life  and  religious 

experience 1  189 


vol..  PAQX. 

Newcomer,  Christian 

call  to  the  ministry,  and 
acquaintance  with  Ot- 
terbein  and  Boehm.     1     199 

visits  Ohio  in  1810 1     3.35 

is  elected  bishop  in  1813  2     208 

continued  in  the  ofEce 

until  1830 2     208 

ordained    formAJly    by 

Otterbein  in  1813...   1     393 

visits  Indiana  in  1816..  2       61 

character  labors,  and  de- 
cease    2     208 

Nevin,  Dr.  John,  on  the 
causes  which  excited 
Otterbein  to  labor  for 

a  reformation 1     206 

Official  relations  in  the  U. 

B.  church  defined...   2      50 
Ohio,  rise  of  the   United 

Brethren  in 1     334 

Ordinance  of  1787 1     332 

Old  conference  in  1820. ..  2     188 

division  of,  in  1830 3     206 

Ordination     among      the 

primitive  U.  B 1       50 

discussed  in  the  Miami 

conference  in  1812.  ..  2       56 

petition  on  the  subject 

to  Otterbein 2       57 

general  confer,  action  in 

1815...... 2       57 

ordination  without  lay- 
ing on  the  hands, 
common  among  the 
early  brethren 2       59 

Protestant  churches  not 

agreed  as  to  the  form  .   2       59 

United  Breth.  bishops 
not  ordained  but  elect- 
ed    2     158 

Oregon,  establishment  of 

the  church  in. ..... .    1     387 

Otterbein,  P.  William 

his  early  life,  education, 
entrance  into  the  min- 
istry, employment  as 
a  missionary,  and  set- 
tlement at  Lancaster, 

Pennsylvania 1     123 

^  -134. 


i?;rDEX. 


429 


VOL.  I'AOK. 

Otterbein,  P.  William, 
ministry   at   Lancastei', 

and  coQTersion 1     135 

—138. 
attempts    to   discipline 
the  church  at  Lancas- 
ter  1       139 

views  of  the  Christian 
church  and  of  disci- 
pline     1     142 

labors  at  Tulpehoken. .   1     144 
new  measures  adopted .   1     145 

—147. 
labors  at  Frederick,  Ma- 
ryland    1     176 

visits  to  Antietam 1     179 

settlement  at  York,  Pa..  1     205 

at  Baltimore 1     224 

personal  appearance  and 
manners  in  the  pulpit, 
as  described  by  an 
educated  German. ...  1  256 
Iiis  love  and  sorrow  for 
the  German  Reformed 

church 1     259 

last  visit  to  the  coetus. .  1     260 

elected  bishop 1     291 

ordains  Newcomer,  Hoff- 
man, and  Schaffer. . .    1     392 
character  and  decease..  1     395 
—406. 
Otterbein  church  petitions 

for  a  pastor 2       28 

lawsuits  with  German 

Reformed  church  ...    2     359 

Otterbein  University 2     378 

Parkersburg  conference. .   2     408 

Pauliciaus 1       24 

Pennsylvania    conference 

organized 2     225 

Pfrimmer,  John  G 1     271 

287. 

2      60 
165. 

Pickards 1       25 

Pietists 1       78 

Prayer-meetings,    a    new 

measure 1     148 

301. 

Primitive  church 1       18 

Printing  establishment. . .  2    283 


VOL.  FjLaa. 
Pruning  out    U.   B.    be- 
tween 1810  and  1821.  2       25 

Puritans  or  Cathari 1       24 

Quest  ons    to   candidates 

for  the  ministry   ....  2     IGO 
Reformation   of   the   16th 
century  hailed  by  the 

United  Brethren 1       54 

Reformed  coetus ...   1     230 

258. 
Religious  Telescope  first 

issued  in  Dec.  1834..  2     286 
Revival   at  Herrnhut    in 

1727 1       89 

in  Moravia 1       81 

in  1803  in  Westmore- 
land and  Washing- 
ton counties.  Pa 1     322 

Revivals,  benefits  of 1     322 

2     323 
—326. 

Rhinehart,  W.  R. .2     205 

218 

Rimal,  G. 2     219 

Ro.ss,  James 2    219 

Russel,  John 2     218 

Sacho,  Renerius 1       25 

Saltzbergers 1     108 

Salary  of  U.  B.  preachers 

in  1820 ..2       53 

in  the  old  confeeence  in 

1820 2     130 

in  Miami  conf  in  1820  2     136 
in  Muskingum   "       "      2     137 
Sanctifioation 

views  of  Otterbein 2     1 35 

Newcomer 2     138 

Wilson's  experience...  2     3:'>7 
Edwaixl's  experiencf .  .  .  2     3  i8 
influence  of  the  move- 
ment   2     344 

Sandusky  conference....  2     299 

Schwope,  B 1     2-28 

Schlatter,  M .'.    .1     118 

Scioto  conference 2     238 

Secret  societies 

early   opposition    of  U. 

Brethren  thereto  ....    2     170 
this  opposition  did  not 
originate  in  the  Mor- 
gan revelations 2     1 74 


430 


INDEX. 


vol.  PAGE. 

Secret  societies 
first  defection  in  the  IT. 

Brethren  church 2  171 

defection  in  the  Miami 

conference 2  172 

action    of   the  general 

conference 2  179 

Horace  Mann  quoted. .  2  178 
principle  of  secrecy  bad  2  178 
secret  societies  have  no 
right  to    the    Chris- 
tian's time  and  money  2  179 

are  of  the  world 2  179 

oaths,  wicked 2  180 

David  Bernard's  expe- 
rience  2  182 

enslave  the  conscience.  2  183 

Deistical 2  184 

a  Christian  prayer  un- 

masonic 2  184 

destroy  a  church's  inde- 
pendence   2  185 

the  abduction  and  mur- 
der of  Morgan 2  186 

Sandusky     conference, 

action  on 2  418 

new  chapter  on 2  417 

impeachment  of  the  con- 
ference    2  420 

Senseuy,  Dr 1  325 

Sellers,  A.  A 2  349 

Shingledecker,  A 2  126 

Slavery 

early  opposition  of  the 

United  Brethren 2  141 

reasons   for  the  rule  of 

1821 2  142 

the  first  rule 2  143 

difficulties   of    arbitra- 
ment of  peculiar  cases  2  146 

the  rule  amended 2  146 

Shuey,  G.  A 2  230 

Smaltz,John 2  192 

Smith,  John 2  301 

Snyder,  Eliz 2  365 

Spayth,  H.  G 2  39 

78. 

Spangenberg 1  105 

Spicer,  S.  S 2  123 

Spenner,P.  J 1  77 

Stahlschmidt,  J.  C 1  210 


VOL.  PAGE. 

Statistics  for  1821 2  137 

comparison  of  1820,  and 

1830 2  207 

Steward,  William 2  1 28 

"         SO..             . .  2  297 

Stubbs,  Williams  .......  2  125 

Taborites 1  47 

Talbert.John 2  313 

315. 
Temperance,  and  the  U. 

B.  church 2  188 

rule  of  1821 2  147 

Tennessee  mission 2  409 

Terrell,  Joseph 2  314 

"       Josiah 2  316 

Thomas,  Jonathan 2  308 

Treaty  of  Westphalia,  did 
not   include    the   U. 

Brethren 1  60 

Trials   for   the   Otterbein 

church  property 2  358 

Troyer,  D 2  89 

Troup,  C 2  346 

Union  with  Christ 1  17 

United    Brethren   church 

history 1  3 

United  Brethren  Primitive  1  38 

Unitas  Fratrura  organized  1  48 
Union  of  Waldenses  and 

United  Brethren 1  51 

United  Brethren  persecu- 
tions of  A.  D.  1468..   1  51 
United     Brethreu      con- 
fession    printed     by 

Luther 1  56 

U.  B.,  primitive,  doctrirle, 

discipline,  usages 1  62 

United  Jirethreu ,  Reiiewed  1  74 

U.  Brethren  in  England..  1  93 
U.  B.  missionary  society 

organized  in  London.  1  102 

U. Brethren  in  America. . .   1  105 
Union   meeting  at    Isaac 

Long's 1  172 

Vandemark,  Elias 2  241 

Virginia  confer,  organized  2  215 

revivals  in 1  294 

Parkersburg  set  off. ...  2  224 

Wabash  conf .  organized . .  2  269 

Wagner,  Daniel 1  208 

Waldenses .- 1  S4 


INDEX. 


431 


Waldo  Peter 

Waldensian  confession. .. 
Waldenses  in  Bohemia  in 

1314 

War  of  1812— eflfect  on  the 

IT.  Brethren  church. . 
Wesley,  John,  and  the  U. 

Brethren 

Wesley,  Charles,  and  the 

United  Brethren 

"  We  are  Brethren" 

West — contributions  for. .   2 
Western  Reserve,  United 

Brethren  church  in . .   2 

Western  College 2 

Whitcom,  Francis 2 

Wickliffe 1 


VJlOK. 

t26 
31 

41 

117 

95 

98 

174 

95 

296 

381 

260 

46 


TOl.  PAOB. 

William,  Prince  of  Orange, 
protects  the  Mennon- 

itea 1      73 

Winter,  Jacob 2    233 

Wisconsin  conference  or- 
ganized   2    403 

Witmer,  Joseph 2    385 

Zahn,  John 2    299 

Zacharius,  Dr.,  declares 
the  need  of  a  reform 
in  the  G.  R.  churoh..  1     177 

Zeller,  Andrew 2      75 

Zinzendorf,  Count 1       83 

Zion's  Advocate,  Aaron 
Farmer's  paper,  start- 
ed in  1830 2    282 

Ziska,  Count  John 1      46 


